The controllability of negative life experiences mediates unrealistic optimism

Two studies examined the impact of negative life experiences on relative risk judgements. In Study 1 (n = 80) and Study 2 (n = 100), victims were less optimistic about recurrences of problems already experienced than about other types of potential problems, supporting an availability mechanism for unrealistic optimism. In Study 2, controllable negative experiences increased recurrence optimism but uncontrollable negative experiences did not, illustrating the mediating role of perceived control on the relationship between negative life experiences and optimism.