Which of the following attributions indicate an optimistic explanatory style in the face of stress?

Correct option is B

The optimistic explanatory style refers to attributing negative events to causes that are external, specific, and unstable. This approach allows individuals to view stressors as temporary, isolated events rather than personal, pervasive, and unchangeable. When a person attributes a stressor to an external cause, it suggests they do not blame themselves, which is a key component of optimism. Attributing the outcome to specific situations, rather than global factors, means they do not see one problem as affecting every aspect of their life. Additionally, an unstable outcome suggests the negative event is unlikely to repeat, which also fosters a more hopeful, optimistic outlook.

Information Booster:

Key Components of Explanatory Styles:
Explanatory style describes how people explain the causes of events in their lives, particularly bad events. Seligman identified three dimensions along which people tend to explain events:

1. Internal vs. External:
-Internal explanations attribute the cause of events to one’s own actions or characteristics (e.g., "I'm a failure," "I did something wrong").
-External explanations attribute the cause to outside factors or circumstances (e.g., "The situation was too difficult," "I didn’t have enough support").
-Example:
-    An optimist might say, "The failure was due to external factors (e.g., bad luck)."
-    A pessimist might say, "It’s my fault I failed."

2. Stable vs. Unstable:
-Stable explanations suggest that the cause of the event will remain the same over time (e.g., "I always fail," "I’m just not good at this").
-Unstable explanations suggest that the cause of the event is temporary and likely to change (e.g., "This failure was a one-time thing," "I can do better next time").
-Example:
-    An optimist would explain a setback as something temporary: "This was just an isolated incident; I will succeed next time."
-    A pessimist might see it as a permanent issue: "I always fail, and it will never get better."

3. Global vs. Specific:
-Global explanations generalize the cause of an event to affect many areas of life (e.g., "I am terrible at everything," "Nothing ever goes right for me").
-Specific explanations view the cause of an event as limited to a particular situation (e.g., "I didn’t do well in this one situation, but that doesn’t mean I’m bad at everything").
-Example:
-    An optimist might say: "This was just one area where I struggled, but it doesn't affect my entire life."
-    A pessimist might think: "I failed at this task, so I am a failure at everything."

3. Optimistic vs. Pessimistic Explanatory Style:
-Optimistic Explanatory Style: An optimistic explanatory style involves explaining negative events in terms that are temporary, specific, and external. When faced with challenges or failures, optimists are likely to:
-    View setbacks as temporary and expect things to improve in the future.
-    Attribute failures to external factors or specific circumstances (not their personal inability).
-    Believe that their ability to succeed is unchanged and that their failures are isolated incidents.
-    Example: After failing a test, an optimist might say, "I didn’t do well on this test, but I can do better next time because the material was difficult, and I didn’t prepare enough."
-    Pessimistic Explanatory Style: A pessimistic explanatory style involves explaining negative events in terms that are permanent, global, and internal. Pessimists tend to:
-    Believe that setbacks are permanent and will last indefinitely.
-    Attribute failures to internal factors, such as their own lack of ability or effort.
-    View failures as affecting all areas of life, rather than seeing them as isolated incidents.
-    Example: After failing a test, a pessimist might say, "I failed the test because I’m not smart enough, and I’ll never be good at this subject."