The hubris hypothesis: The downside of comparative optimism displays

The hubris hypothesis states that observers respond more unfavorably to individuals who express their positive self-views explicitly comparatively than to individuals who express positive self-views in superficially non-comparatively because the former seem to have a more disparaging view of others and particularly of the observers than the latter. We applied the hubris hypothesis to expressions of optimism. As predicted, observers attributed less warmth (but not less competence) to, and showed less interest in affiliating with an individual displaying comparative optimism (the belief that one’s future will be better than others’ future) than with an individual displaying absolute optimism (the belief that one’s future will be good). Observers showed this relative dislike because they inferred that the comparative optimist held a gloomy view of their future. Consistent with previous research, observers still attributed greater warmth and competence to a comparative or absolute optimist than to a comparative or absolute pessimist.status: publishe