If a person's expectations of an outcome are far better than the actual outcome, the bias is optimistic.
1 of 10
Why is the optimism bias a good thing?
It helps to keep our minds at ease and our bodies healthy.
2 of 10
What did Sharot et al.'s (2007) research show about the optimism bias?
Used fMRI data, pps had to press button when thought of autobiographical event from past/ future was fully formed. Rated emotional arousal and how +ve/-ve it was. Future +ve events thought to occur sooner/ lower arousal than future -ve events.
3 of 10
What areas of the brain did Sharot et al. (2007) find were linked to retrieval of autobiographical thoughts?
Rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) and amygdala.
4 of 10
What possible biological mechanism underlies the optimism bias?
Reduced BOLD signal observed in the amygdala and rACC during imagination of negative events, suggesting OB may be related to reduction in -ve future thought.
5 of 10
What does rACC activity when thinking about future events suggest?
Self-regulatory focus that steers our attention away from negative outlooks and towards positive ones.
6 of 10
How do Sharot et al. (2011) show the adjustments we make when provided disconfirming evidence?
Pps estimated likelihood of experiencing -ve life events. Then told average probability and could make changes. More likely to update beliefs when actual probability of -ve event was lower than their probability.
7 of 10
What did the fMRI data from Sharot et al.'s (2011) study show?
Brain activity was greater when probability was more desirable than estimates.
8 of 10
What do we know about the effects of drugs enhancing dopaminergic function on Parkinson's patients?
It enhances the learning of +ve outcomes and impairs the learning of -ve outcomes.
9 of 10
What did Sharot et al.'s (2012) study show about the effects of increased dopamine on OB?
Some pps given L-DOPA, estimated likelihood and told real likelihood of life events, could make updates. Enhancing dopamine function increased OB.
10 of 10
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Why is the optimism bias a good thing?
Back
It helps to keep our minds at ease and our bodies healthy.
Card 3
Front
What did Sharot et al.'s (2007) research show about the optimism bias?
Back
Card 4
Front
What areas of the brain did Sharot et al. (2007) find were linked to retrieval of autobiographical thoughts?
Back
Card 5
Front
What possible biological mechanism underlies the optimism bias?
Comments
No comments have yet been made