False Hope Syndrome : You may be suffering from False Hope Syndrome

"Hope dies last" is an old saying. But is that a good thing? Hope describes the belief in the possibility of a future positive outcome and the desire for it. Hope usually triggers a positive, perhaps optimistic feeling in us. Sometimes, however, it happens that the belief in the possibility contradicts reality - and thus creates unrealistic expectations.

This is what lies behind the False Hope Syndrome

In their concept of "False Hope Syndrome" (2002) , scientists Polivy and Herman describe how excessive expectations we place on ourselves can often lead to repeated failures. It works like this: First, we gain a sense of optimism and control when we set our goals and move toward them. Making plans is fun, and seeing the fruits of our efforts can be a real euphoric experience. However, since our efforts are very often built on the foundation of unrealistic expectations, it doesn't take long before we get into trouble and eventually fail.

Often it is because the goals we set for ourselves are simply unrealistic in terms of speed, scope and ease of implementation. No one achieves lasting success overnight, even if advertising and the like may suggest otherwise. Repeated failure can then lead to a spiral of frustration, self-doubt and fear of failure. In addition, the distortion that comes with false hope syndrome can creep into our subconscious and keep us trapped in a cycle of action and failure.

Breaking out of the spiral of false hope is not easy, but it is possible. The most important thing is to set micro-goals rather than huge ones. This helps you to stay on track and not lose motivation. Small successes can then be celebrated!

A capitalist invention?

The new diet program that promises to give you your dream body in just four weeks. The language course that will make you sound like a native speaker in just six months, or the Pilates trend from the USA that supposedly makes your abs grow in no time at all? We are growing up in a society that consciously uses the syndrome of false hope to influence our purchasing decisions and tries to convince us that we absolutely need consumer product XY to get closer to our goals - and finally be really happy.

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In their book "Happycracy" (2019), which translates as "society of the happiness command", sociologist Eva Illouz and psychologist Edgar Cabanas argue that our capitalist society deliberately uses this dynamic. The motto is: "Buy it - and you will be happy." Self-optimization is almost a duty in a system that glorifies performance and efficiency. Happiness and success are presented as if they were 100 percent our personal responsibilities. If a person fails, then they probably didn't try hard enough, gave up too quickly, weren't ambitious enough...

Unfortunately, not everyone has exactly the same resources at their disposal. For example, it makes a difference whether I can afford a language course or learn a new language alone at home, and whether I even find the time for it. A single mother who can barely find a breather between care work and paid work will probably not think of booking such a course. A person can therefore also be a victim of social inequality. But by placing the responsibility in the hands of the individual, structural problems are also distracted from. If we want to free ourselves from the false hope syndrome, we could first try to question the self-optimization mania. Because that certainly does not make you happy.

eke Brigitte

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