Prof.: optimism can be beneficial to health

Wearing a broad grin, psychology Prof. Chris Peterson addressed, from a research perspective, the virtues of smiling upon the world at a luncheon yesterday at the Michigan Union.

Peterson spoke on "Health and Optimism" at the event, attended by more than 80 University students, staff and faculty.

Peterson's years of research on the topic have drawn nationwide attention, with The Oprah Winfrey Show and the National Enquirer among those who called him curious for more information regarding his work.

"It's a very timely topic - our society has become disenchanted with traditional medical care," Peterson said.

But interest may sometimes wan when people learn that Peterson's study doesn't find any "magic button" to press to become happier and healthier.

Optimistic people just behave differently, Peterson said, taking an active role in their health.

"If you think you can do something, you're going to behave in ways that make it happen," he said. "That's where optimism becomes powerful - when it's self-fulfilling."

Various studies report a multitude of benefits for people who approach life feeling they can maximize the best and minimize the worst.

Optimists, Peterson said, are three times less likely than pessimists to report illnesses, visit doctors and miss school for illness.

Pessimists, meanwhile, suffer from their self-fulfilling negativity. They are victims of more accidents than optimists, Peterson said, some studies have found pessimism to be twice as hazardous to an individual's health as smoking.

A cheery outlook can even translate into better grades and increased athletic performance, Peterson said.

University researchers, he said, have found a brief questionnaire evaluating optimism to be a better predictor of grades than the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

One study discovered that more optimistic swimmers were more likely to win Olympic gold medals than their pessimistic counterparts.

The luncheon was part of a lecture series co-sponsored by the Michigan Union Program Board and the University's Mortar Board chapter. LSA senior Courtney Dwight, Mortar Board vice-president, said the organizations chose professors for the series who have consistently received excellent student evaluations.

"It gives students a chance to hear professors they normally wouldn't get to hear, and is a good way to honor professors," Dwight said.

The lecture series, which is new this year, holds lunches once a month. The final speech will be given by University President Lee Bollinger on April 24th.

"I try to go to all of them, regardless of my interest in the topic," said LSA junior Diana Economy, who attended yesterday's speech. "It's just a good, quick way to explore different disciplines."

02-25-99