riBMBitwaai 1 vcjast UINTAH BASIN STANDARD happen, often in defiance of reality. Dotens of recent studies show that optimists do better than pessimists in work, school and sports, suffer leas depression, achieve more goals, respond better to stress, wage more effective battles against disease and, yes, live longer. The popularity of optimism research has convinced some scholars that psychology should focus leas on misery and more on why things go right. "Social science now finds itself in almost total darkness, about the qualities that make life most worth living,said Martin Seligman, a University of Pennsylvania psychologist and past president ofthe American Psychological Association, in a 1998 speech. Ch-the past three decades, he said, citing another scholars spadework. there were 46,000 papers in the psychology literature on depression and just 400 on joy. But 21st century psychology, he predicted, "will become a science of human strength and of personal fulfillment er Indeed, the psychological associations flagship journal starts the year with a special issue by Seligman and devoted to optimism and "positive psychology an idea, perhaps surprisingly, that has general controversy. Perhaps no research finding quite lifts the spirits like the observation that optimists live longer than pessimists. One reason may be that optimists do a better job of staying out of harm's way. So concluded a recent study drawing on records from a project begun eight decades ago involving 1,800 boys and girls in California. By the 1990s, about half of the men and a third of the wome in the study had died. Those who gaveoptimistic answers to essay questions when they were young I lived an average of two yearsilonger than did their pessimistic counter-parts. Pessimistic people appeared more prone to accidents arid violence, including car wrecks, household mishaps, even homicide. "From what I'm able to figure out, pessimistic people are ia bad moods, said the lcaa author of the 1998 study, psychologist Christo- Peterson of the University of Iichigan. "And when you're in a bad mood, you're mors likely to do risky things, because youre either distracted or downright reckless. Other evidence that optimists live longer has been gathered by UCLA psychologist Shelley Taylor who studied 78 men and with AIDS beginning in the late 1980s. Those who indicated that they had a realistic view of their disease's course died an average of nine months sooner than those who were mors optimistic about postponing the end. And the researchers say they ruled out ocher reasons for the optimists' longer lives, such as less severe illness to begin with. Taylor argues that an optimistic frame of mind actually modulates the nervous system in a way that bolsters immune-systedefenses. And indeed, in yet another study, the researchers found that among first-yeUCLA law students, the optimists had higher levels of disease-fighting cells in their blood than did the pessimists. It might seem contrary to good sense that people benefit from unfounded optimism. After all, distinguishing between reality and illusion is a touchstone of sanity. But some social scientists have generated controversy by reporting evidence for what is probably the central paradox of positive thinking: Clinging to the belief in a positive ftiture against reasonable odds sometimes makes it happen. Naturally, that may often occur keep just because over optimists trying a variation on the old saw that quitters never win. But there appears to be more to it. For instance, in a report published last year about men infected with the AIDS virus, Taylor and coworkers found that the optimists had remained symptom-fre- e longer than had the pessimists, whose assessment of their medical condition was actually more in line with clinical data. Generally, as many commentators have painted out, improvements in AIDS treatments over the years are a reminder that hopes that once ar -- ta seemed unrealistic can yield to justifiable optimism. Taylor, author of the 1989 book "Positive Illusions, said researchers know very little about how such an "optimistic bias might help the bodys defenses. The key, she said, is that such unreal ism "isn't necessarily bad. It can be wonderful. This view has its critics. A false sense of security can be dangerous when it comes to taking physical risks, says Neil Weinstein, a psychologist at Rutgers University. Epidemics of sexually transmitted diseases, for example, are fueled in part by people who make overly optimistic asaumptionsabout their sexual partners. "You can think of many instances in which people's underestimation of risk can girt them into serious trouble," Weinstein said. In the popular imagination, optimists have long been portrayed as foolishly oblivious to problems. But numerous studios show that optimists, far from protecting their frag-il- e vision of the world, confront trouble head on. , In a 1993 study of women who had recently been given the diagnosis ofbrcast cancer, the women with an optimistic disposition were more likely to acknowledge the seriousness of the disease. They ex peri- -- others. "Optimism was associated with positively reframing the situation, with women believing. This is not going to go a way. so let me make the best of it I can," Carver said. Because experts believe that no less than half of ones optimistic tendency is nurtured, research probes its roots in childhood experi-enc- e. A soon study cowritten by Vanderbilt University psychologist Judy Garber found that young adolescents often share their mothers' outlook, evidently because they learn her style of interpreting events, especially negative ones. Children with what is known as s pessimistic explanatory stylo they blame errors on deep personal flaws and dismiss triumphs as lucky breaks were more likely to have been told their mistake were caused by overarching deficiencies in their makeup. Disciplining children by inducing guilt or temporarily withdrawing infection also fostered pes simistic tendencies. "If parents are negative, critical, blaming, then the child is going t t learn that's how to explain tilings "u the world," Garber said. Most people know how dangerAt the asm lime, she end other ous dnnking end driving is Accordresearchers have dearly shown that to ths AAA Foundation for Trafing who Children also matters. reality fic Safety, driving drowsy can be endure hardship and tragedy, from ss fatal as driving drunk. just sickness to divorcing parents to s Just like drugs snd alcohol, death in the family, are also prone sleepmeas slows reaction time, deto pessimistic thinking crease awareness and impaujudg-men- l ' Seligman and other are corBehind the wheel, it can be of the pessimisrect, consequence fatal. United State National The be tic thinking in childhood may Highway Traffic Safety Adminisbroader than is usually acknowltration estimates that drowsy and edged. They are studying the orifatigued drivers cause 100,000 gins of optimism and pessimism inwith an eye toward reducing what crashes nationwide each year, least at 76,000 people. juring of called the "epidemic some hsv Driving, especially tor long disdepression" among ths young. tances, reveals your true level of It remains to be seen whether sleepiness If you experience any of behavior ssperts will heed these danger signs, take them ss a Seligmans call for s "positive" psy- warningYour eyes dose or go out of chology dedicated to better underfocus by themselves. standing and even encouragement You have trouble keeping your of virtues Lke altruism, wisdom, head up. integrity and leadership. But the You can't stop yawning. notion has sparked criticism from You have wandering, disconirthatpsychologists will be turned into morality nected thoughts You dont remember driving policeorwili shun their duty toesse few miles. last the suffering. You drift between lanes, tail"Si nee it is almost certainly easier to change the way people think about gate, or miss traffic signs. You keep jerking the car back the world than it ia to change the world, my concern is that ... positive into the lane. You've drifted off the road and psychology will develop technique narrowly missed crashing. to tolerat intolerable living condiIf yia he vs even one of these tions," said Barry Schwarts. a professor ofsocial theory at Swsrthmars symptoms, you may be in danger of falling asleep. According to the NaCollege. tional Highway Traffic Safety AdIke ministration, the only way to avoid Salt with of Reprinted permitted driver fatigue is to gvt enough sleep. Lake Tnbimt. Avoid staying up late the night before a long trip Set realistic travel gods, take regular breaks, snd shore the driving. Plan to drive during times of ths day when you're normally awake. If you start showing According to court record. Max Rosa, 22, and Jenetl Hardinger, 18, both of Roooevelt, each pleaded guilty to reduced misdemeanor charge of wanton destruction ofwild-li- f. A companion. Michael Thcener, 22, Duchesne, pleaded guilty to s misdemeanor count of aiding and assisting in violation of ths wildlife Ths trio was accused of shooting a prize elk in the An thro Limited-Entrares on Oct. 17, 1999. When they were told they had shot ths animal in a closed area, they left the animal and did not report the shoot- ing They were initially charged with felony count after wildlife officials received a tip from an informant All three were ordered to pay f 1,1 66 67 in restitution, given s one-yesuspended jail term, and placed on 36 months probation. Both Ross and Thcener were ordered to pay s 1750 fine, Hardinger was fined 500. In an unrelated case involving the illegal taking of protected wildlife, a son has agreed to testify against his father in exchange for s lesser sentence. Nkklous M. Schiro, 24. Lehi, entered into a pies agreement with prosecutor in return fore reduced charge. Schiro pleaded guilty to s class A misdemeanor for wanton destruction of protected wildlife. He had been charged with s felony vio- aosti 00-855-1 1 55 sleep-deprive- Agricultural pricesreceived Price by Utah farmer and ranchers during were dow n for baied alfalfa hay, barley, and milk, and unchanged for other hay, according to the Utah Agricultural Statistic Service. all milk The Utah 20 down 60 was $13 rwt, per price cents from the previous month and down $4 00 from December 1998. Barley, at $1 83 per bushel, was down four rents from the previous months pnre and the same aa 1998 Baled alfalfa hay was $75 00 per ton. down $2 00 from last month and the same as December 1998. Other hay. at $35 00 per ton. was uncharged Srum last month but $16 00 lower than December 1999. The lamb pries for November 1999 was $79 00 per ewt, up $9 00 from October, and up $20 00 from November of last year. The November 1999 sheep price at $25 00. was $5 00 more than October, up $4 00 from November of las: year. (CDoaumcB i lation. susSchiro was given a one-yeon two terra, year placed pended jail probation, and ordered to pay 8800 In restitution. Hi $500 fin will be forgiven if he make hi restitution payments ia a timely manner. John V. His father, Schiro, Heber city, is charged with two third-degre- e felony counts for ar ITCilFOBaijCQ ld raGGo wanton destruction of protected wildlife and siding and assisting in violation of the wildlife code, Hi preliminary hearing ia set for Feb. ff 14. The incident occurred sometime between Oct 9 27, 1999, on Fossil Ridgs in Duchesne County. According to a probable cause statement, the men allegedly shot two bucks which they did not tag. Ths bucks were found field dressed and hidden from view under a pine tree. go'G fe tamary Hiss For Delivery IN the Uintah Basin Area Prices Good With Coupon "It's no accident State Farm insures more cars than anyone MGS Rates Good Through January 31, 1999 Only!! Give A Gift i For Delivery OUT of the Uintah Basin Area : ONE YEAR TWO YEARS Special Regular $32.00 $50.00 36.00 56.00 Subscription!! We will send a Card in your behalf Announcing Your Gift! (Pttces Good with Coupon Ontyl) Andy Driggs ISON. 300 Fast, Roosevelt 722-24- 15 Gip and Send To: Name Uintah Basin Standard Address 268 South 200 East Roosevelt, Utah 84066 For RwiM Assistance E. 800 S., Roosevelt 7224165 coffee or cola can help you feel more alert, but the effects last only for a short time If you drink coffee and are seriously you're still likely to have "micro-sleeps,- " brief naps that last around four or five seconds At 55 miles an hour, that's more than 100 yards. F.enty of time to kill yourself y 2 Bedroom Starting At S200fmonth 1 58 Stimulants are not substitute for sleep AAA reports confirm that drink containing caffeine, such as It's Your cod. MOusMedFor Bold Assistance nap. it torsi. Bedroom Starting Al SI 75morth Fiat find a sale spot, pull over, and take a t for shooting an elk in s closed-entr- y area last October and then leaving 1 3 Bedroom Starting At S23Sfrnonth of driving fatigu signs well-L- S in 8th District Court in Duchesne Apartments TTD I study with Michael Scheier of Carnegie Mellon University and Three Duchesne Country residents were sentenced Monday, Jan. StonerldgeUintah 8 OuaWed encod less distress and took mors active steps to cope with it. "Pessimism was associated with denial and a giving-u- p response," said Charles Carver of the University of Miami, w ho conducted the Three sentenced for poaching, another case is pending else. I OusHRed Pc9 Health Dept, reminds that dozing & driving dont mix Look on the bright side: optimism may in fact help us live longer New that the future ia here, rescan here Anally art getting a grip on optimism, the curious human habit expecting good things to January lUOUO- - L3a i good neighbor Safe fvm is diets Slate Farm Lift Inwrmcc Compwty Home Offices: Bloomington. Hlrnot orCan80l.722.SI3lor Free it 60CM27-S67- 9 Mention this Special and use your VISA or MasterCard Toil St. Crty ZPL Year 2 Years 3 Years 1 NEW RENEWAL ft. - .Vs.