Name: Tali Sharot: The optimism bias
Uploaded: 2012-05-14T15:10:53Z
Duration: 17 min 23 s
Description: Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side -- and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial.

Tali Sharot: Tali Sharot: The optimism bias

Tali Sharot: The optimism bias

Are we born to be optimistic, rather than realistic? Tali Sharot shares new research that suggests our brains are wired to look on the bright side -- and how that can be both dangerous and beneficial.

Most people believe they are less likely than others to face misfortune and more likely to succeed, a phenomenon that persists across cultures and ages. Despite knowing the odds—like a 40 percent divorce rate—newlyweds routinely rate their own risk at zero. This innate optimism boosts happiness, anticipation, and even health, but it can also lead to risky decisions and poor planning. Recognizing this bias allows people to harness optimism’s benefits while guarding against its pitfalls.

Optimism Shapes Our Future And Blinds Us To Risk

*The Science of Optimism*

culture

science

cognitive science

psychology

happiness

brain

decision-making

sociology

neuroscience

behavioral economics

personality

TED Stage Talk