Unrealistic Optimism Among Students of the Department of Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance

Abstract

Unrealistic optimism is considered a cognitive phenomenon and a perceptual bias characterized by individuals' tendency to believe they are less vulnerable to risks and negative events, and more likely to encounter positive experiences compared to others in similar circumstances. Despite its role in enhancing mental health and resilience in facing difficulties, it may lead to a miscalculation of risks and insufficient preventive behaviors, making it a double-edged sword that directly affects decision-making processes and psycho-social adjustment.

​Therefore, the current research aimed to measure unrealistic optimism among students of the Department of Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance, and to identify differences according to the gender variable (male-female). The researcher adopted the descriptive analytical approach on a sample of (50) male and female students. To analyze the data, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used through various methods (One-Sample T-test, Independent Samples T-test, and Cronbach's Alpha equation for reliability).

​The results revealed a very high level of unrealistic optimism among the sample members, with statistically significant differences in favor of females, as they were more inclined toward this bias. The study recommends the necessity of activating the role of psychological counseling units to transform excessive optimism into realistic "operational optimism" through counseling programs and vocational guidance that bridge the gap between ambition and the labor market. Furthermore, the researcher suggests conducting longitudinal and comparative studies linking unrealistic optimism with other variables, such as academic specialization and the decision-making process.