Practice Passage Test - 2 | Practice Passages for MCAT PDF Download

Americans are widely known and perceive themselves as a positive and optimistic people. This characteristic is often associated with their upbeat and cheerful demeanor. The display of positive "affect," which includes smiles, greetings, and expressions of confidence and optimism, can generate positive feelings within individuals. Additionally, studies reveal that happy feelings easily spread through social networks, brightening the day for even distantly connected individuals. Psychologists also agree that positive emotions can enhance longevity and improve overall health. People who report experiencing positive feelings are more likely to engage in a vibrant social life, which acts as a defense against depression and various physical illnesses.

A positive development is that economists have started showing interest in using happiness, rather than solely relying on gross national product, as a measure of economic success. However, happiness is challenging to measure or define. Philosophers have debated its nature for centuries, and even if it is defined as a greater frequency of positive feelings than negative ones, measuring individual happiness requires considering various moods and moments.

Interestingly, when psychologists compare the relative happiness of nations, they consistently find that Americans are not as happy as their reputation suggests, even during prosperous times. Despite being viewed as a positive and optimistic society, Americans rank only twenty-third in self-reported happiness according to a recent meta-analysis of over a hundred studies worldwide. Americans also represent a significant portion of the global market for antidepressants, which happen to be the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States.

How can Americans maintain a reputation for being "positive" and "happy" without actually being the happiest and most prosperous people in the world? The answer lies in positivity being more of an ideology than a condition for Americans. Positive thinking is a key aspect of this ideology, encompassing both the content of positive thoughts and the practice of thinking positively. The generic content of positive thinking suggests that things are currently favorable, and they will improve further if one focuses on silver linings and turning challenges into opportunities.

The practice of positive thinking is encouraged by the belief that it not only fosters optimism but also increases the likelihood of positive outcomes. Psychologists explain this phenomenon rationally, stating that optimism improves health, personal efficacy, confidence, and resilience, thereby facilitating goal achievement. However, a less rational notion also exists within American ideology, proposing that thoughts directly influence the physical world. Negative thoughts supposedly lead to negative outcomes, while positive thoughts manifest as health, prosperity, and success. Due to both rational and mystical reasons, the effort invested in positive thinking is deemed valuable and worthwhile.