title: A Primer on Unrealistic Optimism.
abstract: People display unrealistic optimism in their predictions for countless events, believing that their personal future outcomes will be more desirable than can possibly be true. We summarize the vast literature on unrealistic optimism by focusing on four broad questions: What is unrealistic optimism; when does it occur; why does it occur; and what are its consequences.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shepperd
authors.affiliation: Washington University in St. Louis.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.affiliation: Rutgers University.
authors.forename: Neil D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute.
authors.forename: William M P
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Klein
keywords: Unrealistic optimism; comparative optimism; optimistic bias; risk judgments; risk perception