STRATEGY-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF REFLECTING ON SELF AND TASKS - SOME IMPLICATIONS OF OPTIMISM AND DEFENSIVE PESSIMISM

Two studies investigated the hypothesis that individuals using the cognitive strategy of defensive pessimism will perform better and feel better when allowed to play through possible outcomes and reflect on their progress. In contrast, individuals using an optimistic strategy will perform more poorly and feel worse when they are encouraged or required to reflect on themselves and their goals. A laboratory experiment and a study using experience-sampling methodology (ESM) revealed this pattern for self-reported mood, appraisal of tasks, and progress toward goals; objective performance; and a physiological measure, though the interaction was not always statistically significant. Discussion focuses on the probable content of reflective thought for these individuals, the relative costs and benefits of each approach, and the usefulness of a strategy-oriented approach to the study of individual differences and self-regulation.