Learn Before
Comparison

Distinction Between Positive Affect and Optimism

Although positive affect and optimism are related in some ways, they are not the same construct (Pressman & Cohen, 2005). Positive affect is mostly concerned with positive feeling states, whereas optimism is a generalized tendency to expect that good things will happen, or alternatively, a tendency to view life's stressors and difficulties as temporary and external to oneself.

0

1

Updated 2026-07-06

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

Psychology @ OpenStax

Introduction to Psychology @ OpenStax Course

OpenStax

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Psychology

Social Science

Empirical Science

Science