Being too optimistic can have real drawbacks, according to a new study that looks at expectations of life that are not grounded in reality.

Is there a certain spiritual component to hope, supported by a belief in a God that can make goals and dreams come true? Or can an atheist be just as hopeful as a religious person? 

When asked if they had "many opportunities" to find success in their careers, 70% of the young people surveyed said "yes".

Optimism may be quantifiably keeping marriages together, especially after the so-called honeymoon period ends. 

Hope has played a significant role in the lives of African Americans throughout history, from early abolitionists to Martin Luther King and President Obama.

Pessimists see bad events in their life as part of a permanent negative state of the world. The optimist is ready to get over the disappointing outcome, often using mantras like "this too shall pass."

Maintaining a hopeful, optimistic attitude positively affects a person's health, academic performance, and relationships. But what makes someone hopeful or optimistic?

The belief that things will be better in the future is called optimism bias. Being overly optimistic can lead you to miss an important health check up or make bad financial decisions.

New research reveals we frequently worry about aging. Ironically, as we become older and the effects of aging set in, we tend to become more optimistic about life. 

A growing body of scientific investigation now supports the conclusion that being hopeful has a distinctly positive effect on academic performance.