Glass Half Full Worksheet Glass Half Full
Investigating the Optimism Bias
Name:
Date:
Warm-Up: How Do You Rank?
Be honest! Compared to your peers, where do you think you rank in the following categories?
Driving Ability (or future ability)
Top 25% (Better than most)
Middle 50% (Average)
Bottom 25% (Below average)
Getting Along With Others
Top 25% (Better than most)
Middle 50% (Average)
Bottom 25% (Below average)
Guided Viewing: Tali Sharot's Research
1. Define the "Optimism Bias" in your own words.
2. The Discrepancy
Why are people often optimistic about their own families but pessimistic about their country's future?
3. The Anticipation Effect
Why did students in the "celebrity kiss" study prefer to wait 3 days?
The Neurological Roots
Left Inferior Frontal Gyrus
How does it respond to positive information?
Right Inferior Frontal Gyrus
What happens here in the brain of an optimist?
4. The Parachute Metaphor
Explain why awareness of this bias doesn't make it disappear, and what it means to be an "optimistic penguin with a parachute."
Personal Reflection
Identify one area of your life (grades, relationships, sports, future career) where you think you have an optimism bias.
Is it helping or hurting?
Considering what Tali Sharot said about success, health, and risky behavior—evaluate your current level of optimism in that area.
Hopeful Brain Slides The Optimism Bias
Why your brain is hardwired for hope (and how to keep it realistic)
High School Psychology
Better Than Average?
On your worksheet, rank yourself compared to the rest of the class.
Driving Ability
Social Skills
Honesty
Modesty
Statistical Reality
It is mathematically impossible for everyone to be in the Top 25%.
80% of us are optimists
The Definition
"The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive events and underestimate negative ones."
We expect...
Long life, successful careers, smart kids, financial stability.
We ignore...
Divorce, cancer, car accidents, project failures.
Tali Sharot: The Optimism Bias
TED TALK
Embedded media
Is it better to have low expectations?
1
Interpretation
Optimists attribute success to themselves ("I'm a genius") and failure to external factors ("The test was unfair").
2
Anticipation
We derive pleasure from waiting (The 3-day celebrity kiss rule). Friday is better than Sunday!
"Regardless of the outcome, the pure act of anticipation makes us happy."
The Neural Circuitry
Left IFG
Processes Good News. Fires fiercely when we hear about hopeful market trends or lower health risks.
WORKING PERFECTLY
Right IFG
Processes Bad News. In optimists, this region fails to respond effectively to warning signs.
UNDERPERFORMING
When Optimism is Dangerous
Safety
Firefighters ignoring dangerous conditions because "the fire won't do that."
Finance
Underestimating costs or assuming a housing bubble will never burst.
Health
Thinking warning labels apply to "the other guy" but not to yourself.
The Optimistic Penguin
"Soar like an eagle, even if you're just a penguin... just remember to strap on a parachute."
Hope
Planning
Knowledge of the bias doesn't stop the illusion, but it allows us to plan for reality.
Activity: Parachute Planning
In your small groups, you will receive a Case Study Card.
Identify how the optimism bias is affecting the character's choices.
Design a "parachute" (a realistic plan) that keeps them hopeful but safe.
Discussion Questions
• What bad news are they ignoring?
• What specific "realistic" step could they take?
• How can they stay motivated without being blind?
Penguin Parachute Cards Penguin Parachute Cards
Case Studies in Optimism & Planning
Teacher Instructions: Cut along the dashed lines to create individual scenario cards. Provide one card per small group. Students should identify the bias present and design a "parachute" (a realistic safety net or plan) that allows the person to remain optimistic while mitigating risk.
The All-Nighter
Leo is a junior with a 4.0 GPA. He has a massive AP Psychology final tomorrow. He's only reviewed half the material, but he tells himself, "I'm smart, I've always aced tests, and I probably know the other half instinctively." He decides to go to a movie tonight instead of studying.
The Penguin's View
"I've never failed before, so it's impossible for me to fail now. I'll just 'feel' the right answers."
Group Task:
Identify the "bad news" Leo is ignoring and design a 3-step parachute for his GPA.
The Visionary
Maya is quitting her stable job to start an app that delivers organic snacks to pets via drone. 90% of tech startups fail in the first year. Maya has spent her entire life savings on the prototype. She says, "Those other companies didn't have my passion. I just know this is going to be the next big thing."
The Penguin's View
"The failure statistics don't apply to me because I'm more dedicated than the 'average' founder."
Group Task:
How is Maya's Left IFG processing her "passion"? Build a financial parachute for her business.
The Smoker
Sam has been smoking for 10 years. He sees the graphic warning labels on every pack. He says, "My grandfather smoked until he was 90 and died in his sleep. I have great genes. Those lung cancer stats are for people who don't exercise like I do."
The Penguin's View
"Smoking kills the other guy. I'm the exception because of my 'genes' and 'exercise'."
Group Task:
Why isn't the Right IFG responding to the warning labels? What health parachute does Sam need?
The Backpacker
Chloe is planning a solo trek through a remote mountain range known for unpredictable blizzards. She hasn't bought travel insurance or a satellite phone. "It's summer! What are the odds of a blizzard? Plus, I'm a fast hiker; I can outrun any bad weather."
The Penguin's View
"I only focus on the sunny days in the brochure. My speed makes me immune to the weather."
Group Task:
Identify Chloe's "Better Than Average" belief. Design a safety parachute for her trek.
Activity Wrap-Up
Once your group has built your "parachute," be prepared to present it to the class. We will vote on which plan strikes the best balance between
