The Positive Power of Negative Thinking

Apsychologistchallengesthetyrannyofoptimismbyclaimingthatnegativethinkingisoftenafarbetterwaytodealwithanxietythanstrivingtostaypositive.Howoftenareweurgedto"lookonthebrightside"?FromNormanVincentPealetotheubiquitoussmileyface,optimismhasbecomeanessentialpartofAmericansociety.Inthislong-overduebook,psychologistJulieNoremoffersconvincingevidencethat,formanypeople,positivethinkingisanineffectivestrategy--andoftenanobstacle--forsuccessfullycopingwiththeanxietiesandpressuresofmodernlife.Drawingonherownresearchandmanyvividcasehistories,Noremprovidesevidenceofthepowerfulbenefitsof"defensivepessimism,"whichhashelpedmillionstomanageanxietyandperformtheirbestwork.