We typically consider a hopeful person to be the same as an optimistic person, but hope is something more. Dr. Kendra Thomas explains:
“In conversation, ‘hope’ and ‘optimism’ can often be used as synonyms. But there’s an important gap between them, as psychology research suggests.”
I did a podcast episode about hope when I interviewed David Williams, former CEO of the Make-a-Wish Foundation. But I really barely scratched the surface of the research. Here’s a glimpse of what more there is to say:
“Hope is stronger than optimism at predicting academic success and people’s ability to cope with pain. Plenty of scientific evidence suggests that hope improves individuals’ health and boosts their well-being.”