Most people prefer to look on the bright side of life, and new research suggests that such people may try to maintain that viewpoint by steering clear of their pessimistic peers.

Those viewed as pessimistic by a group of college students were rated as less desirable as study partners, campus party companions or sports teammates.

People may avoid pessimists because they assume that their negative outlook on life means that they are generally hopeless, sad and depressed.

Americans may like people who have optimistic, upbeat attitudes because they fit the cultural ideal of a "healthy person." Alternatively, perhaps optimistic people avoid those who are depressed out of fear that their negative attitude will make them feel uncomfortable or sad.

Pessimistic people, by definition, assume that bad things are more likely to happen to them than to others. In this report, the researchers presented findings from two studies that demonstrate people tend to socially reject those who they think are pessimistic.

In one study, participants read scenarios about people discussing their chances of unhappy life events, such as developing heart disease or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease. Readers later rated whether they would like to meet and spend time with the person they read about.

Overall, participants said they would prefer spending time with the optimistic character, possibly because the pessimistic person was likely to be less happy.
In another study, participants listened to interviews with optimistic and pessimistic people. In some cases, the participants were told the person was mentally stable and not depressed while in others they were given no extra information.

Participants who were told a pessimistic person was happy and well-adjusted did not socially reject the pessimist. However, if they were not told anything about the pessimist, the study participants tended to rate the person as someone they would not like to spend time with.

Most people are optimistic, as they may adopt an upbeat attitude to avoid the social stigma that comes with a negative outlook. The researcher noted that talking to pessimistic people about their attitude may not necessarily improve their social lives.

Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology May 2002;21:92-107