This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American Seeing the glass as half full is usually a ...

As children, many of us were taught to think positively. Parents and teachers may have told us to “always look on the bright side” or “keep a positive attitude.” Many self-help books even instruct ...

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. For myself I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else. — Sir ...

The human brain possesses a remarkable capacity for change, particularly when it comes to outlook and attitude. Recent research reveals that while genetic factors account for approximately 25% of our ...