title: The hubris hypothesis: The downside of comparative optimism displays.
abstract: According to the hubris hypothesis, observers respond more unfavorably to individuals who express their positive self-views comparatively than to those who express their positive self-views non-comparatively, because observers infer that the former hold a more disparaging view of others and particularly of observers. Two experiments extended the hubris hypothesis in the domain of optimism. Observers attributed less warmth (but not less competence) to, and showed less interest in affiliating with, an individual displaying comparative optimism (the belief that one's future will be better than others' future) than with an individual displaying absolute optimism (the belief that one's future will be good). Observers responded differently to individuals displaying comparative versus absolute optimism, because they inferred that the former held a gloomier view of the observers' future. Consistent with previous research, observers still attributed more positive traits to a comparative or absolute optimist than to a comparative or absolute pessimist.
authors: Center for Social and Cultural Psychology, KU Leuven - Leuven University, Tiensestraat 102, Mailbox 3727, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Vera.Hoorens@kuleuven.be.
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Hoorens
authors: Center for Social and Cultural Psychology, KU Leuven - Leuven University, Tiensestraat 102, Mailbox 3727, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: Carolien.VanDamme@kuleuven.be.
authors: Carolien
authors: C
authors: Van Damme
authors: Department of Psychology, Dickinson College, P.O. Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013, USA. Electronic address: Helwegm@dickinson.edu.
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Helweg-Larsen
authors: Centre for Research on Self and Identity, Psychology Department, University of Southampton, Southampton S017 1BJ, UK. Electronic address: cs2@soton.ac.uk.
authors: Constantine
authors: C
authors: Sedikides
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000067656:Optimism / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Absolute optimism; Affiliation; Comparative optimism; Competence; Hubris hypothesis; Optimism; Self-superiority beliefs; Warmth