Pessimista

Pessimista is the term used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe a person who tends to expect negative outcomes and focus on drawbacks rather than positives. The label can describe a general outlook, a temporary mood, or a sustained personality trait. In everyday language, a pessimista may anticipate problems, assume the worst, or view events through a negative lens.

Etymology: From Latin pessimus "worst" with the suffix -ista, the term parallels the English "pessimist" and the French "pessimiste." It entered Spanish in the modern era and is widely used across Spanish-speaking cultures. In psychological discussions, "pessimista" can refer to a pessimistic explanatory style: the habitual attribution of negative events to stable, global causes and internal factors.

Clinical and research distinction: Pessimism as a trait differs from situational pessimism; contextual pessimism may be adaptive or maladaptive depending on circumstances. The construct of pessimism has been studied in relation to depression, anxiety, and coping; some theories suggest that a cautious outlook can protect against risk, while others link chronic pessimism to reduced motivation and poorer outcomes.

Cultural and literary usage: In literature and media, pessimista characters often serve as foil to optimists or as commentators on fragility of human plans. The term also appears in political and social commentary to label a stance perceived as defeatist or unduly negative. The concept is debated, with some arguing that realistic appraisal of risks is valuable, while others warn against cynicism.

Related terms include pessimism, optimism, and realistic thinking; related concepts in psychology include pessimistic attributional style and depressive realism.