whats the difference between pessimism and realism
What's the Difference between Pessimism and Realism?
While anything that opposes optimism is usually tagged as pessimism, this viewpoint is not always accurate. Similarly, the concept of realism is often mistaken for pessimism―again, not true. In this Buzzle article, we will try to shed light on what pessimism and realism is and how they are entirely different concepts.
Did You Know?
Pessimism and realism are both learned behavior. There is, therefore, always a chance to change them if wanted.Pessimism Vs. Realism
Like we said earlier, there is a tendency to assume that a person who is not an optimist is automatically a pessimist; however, that is not the case. A person who is not necessarily an optimist, need not be a pessimist either, he could just as easily be a realist. People often equate the characteristic traits of a realist and a pessimist, and when they actually mean 'realist', they're saying 'pessimist'.
A more detailed explanation of these two types and their traits will help you understand how these are different and why these terms should not be used interchangeably. But first, an explanation of what these two personality types are.
Characteristics of a Pessimistic Personality
A pessimistic person is someone who has a negative outlook towards life, someone who tends to notice the negative things in life, a person, or situation and believes that there is more bad than there is good in everything. Unlike optimists who tend to see the positive side of everything and believe that a negative situation is only a setback in the larger scheme of things, a pessimist believes that everything is and will continue to be negative, that it will affect all areas of his life, so far as believing that everything is his fault. Pessimists refuse to see the good in people and life and are convinced that things are getting worse with every passing day.
For Example:
When the sun finally shines through after the rain and someone comments how nice it is, the pessimist will complain about how everyone will be crowding the streets to soak in the sun.Characteristics of a Realist
A realist is someone who will see things for the way they really are. He will not be influenced by either the negative or the positive scheme of things. He will take each day as it comes, learning to cope with anything negative and enjoying the positive. Even though it is believed that the optimists are the most optimally adjusted individuals, in reality, the realists are more so. While optimists may tend to look at, and concentrate on only the positive things in life, it is often said of them that they view the world with rose-tinted glasses, refusing to see the bad at all. Which often leads to extreme disappointments. A realist, to put it simply, hopes for the best and is prepared for the worst.
Moreover, a realist only forms an opinion after analyzing all the data and information that is available to him, thus, his opinions, decisions, and outlook are usually more objective and unbiased. He does not let expectations decide the way he feels.
For Example:
While an optimist might call the rain the sweet nectar that bathes the earth, the realist will simply call it precipitation taking place in the form of liquid.Difference Between a Pessimist and a Realist
Example # 1
A pessimist will never ever invest in the stock market because he's convinced that he will lose all the money, so he never takes that chance. A realist will study the type of stocks available, the nature of the market, and plan well before investing―oftentimes leading to great profits.
Example # 2
At a football match, the pessimist will predict that the crowd-favorite team will choke towards the end and lose; whereas, the realist will study their performance, the strength of the players and other data available, and form a decision that while anything can happen in the game, their records of the season strongly suggest that they will win.