Abstract
Toward a Neurobiology of Unrealistic Optimism
Highlights
Unrealistic optimism is recognized as one of the major human cognitive biases (Kahneman, 2011)
They reported that this asymmetric “updating” originates from a prediction error bias which correlates with activity in various regions of the frontal cortex. On first glance, this method does not appear to suffer from the problems inherent in the comparison approach of optimism research, and their findings have been interpreted as evidence of unrealistic optimism
This has naturally shifted attention towards the neurobiology underlying this phenomenon. In their new study published in Current Biology, Sharot et al (2012) go further, by demonstrating how the differential updating reported previously (Sharot et al, 2011), is modulated by administering l-DOPA as belief updating for bad news becomes impaired
Summary
Unrealistic optimism is recognized as one of the major human cognitive biases (Kahneman, 2011). Sharot et al (2011) provided a promising, new approach to investigate optimism bias, via the concept of belief change. Sharot and colleagues reported that unrealistic optimism persists “in the face of reality” because good (versus bad) news is incorporated significantly more into one’s beliefs of personal risk.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
