Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, evaluated the subject of hope and the psychology of hope.
Hope Requires Active Effort, Not Passive Waiting…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that when hope is mentioned, it primarily refers to human expectations, stating, “Hope plays a significant role in an individual’s struggle for survival, strengthening their well-being, and supporting their mental health. Hope has two main pillars: first, having positive expectations about one's future and a strong desire to achieve one's goals; and second, finding ways and methods to reach these goals. Hope is not a passive wait, but requires active effort.”
Despair Leads Individuals into Negative Expectations
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that to better understand hope, it must be considered alongside its opposite, explaining that the absence of hope, or despair, leads individuals into negative expectations. He added that this situation negatively affects a person's mental health and overall well-being, noting that while hope encourages positive expectations, despair creates negative ones.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also emphasized that studies on 'Expectation Theory' in psychology reveal the power of hope and expectations, stating that expectations are a powerful tool that shapes individuals' performance and behaviors.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that Expectation Theory is known in psychology as "self-fulfilling prophecy," and that a person's belief in an event or outcome increases its likelihood of occurrence.
There is a Strong Connection Between Hope and Expectation!
Tarhan, pointing to the strong connection between hope and expectation, explained that hope increases a person's positive thoughts about the future and their motivation to achieve goals, enabling them to find ways to reach their goals and maintain positive energy.
“In individuals with a high sense of hope, healing chemicals are secreted in the brain. It activates the brain's secret pharmacy. These are called endorphins. The expectation of healing, the feeling of hope, is called the placebo effect," said Prof. Dr. Tarhan, adding, "In an experiment, 40 out of 100 people given a placebo medicine experienced relief from their headache. When these 40 people were later given another medicine, their headaches returned. This occurs due to the cessation of the brain's production of endogenous morphine (endorphins). In other words, the feeling of hope and the expectation of healing are not merely abstract concepts; they are emotions with biological and neurobiological equivalents."
Positive Thinking and Perseverance Play a Critical Role in the Journey to Success
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that positive thinking and perseverance play a critical role in the journey to success, stating that setting achievable goals, working determinedly towards these goals, and viewing obstacles not as threats but as opportunities are important steps on the path to success.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also noted that acting with positive thoughts instead of focusing on negativity is a great source of motivation for individuals to overcome obstacles. This can be clearly observed especially in people who struggle with difficult conditions, such as mountaineers. Mountaineers with high hope try all paths, while those without hope turn back after a few attempts. There is a saying that summarizes this situation: ‘If it's difficult, it's possible; if it's impossible, it takes time.’ This saying emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that individuals with a future projection work more determinedly and persistently to achieve their goals, stating, “These individuals act with the mindset of 'either I succeed or I perish,' nurturing great hope for success. If a person has hope, they also have perseverance.”
Believing One Will Feel Better Can Accelerate the Healing Process…
“Our brain is a powerful and steerable tool. If we train our brain correctly, it turns into a powerful helper that leads us to our goals,” said Prof. Dr. Tarhan, explaining that the brain is born with primitive emotions within it, and how these emotions are used determines the shape of life.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that a person's belief that they will feel better can indeed accelerate the healing process, and also mentioned that negative expectations find their equivalent in the brain, and if a person expects something bad to happen, they can become a victim of their expectations.
We Learn Despair Later…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that hope is one of the emotional beliefs, and that a person should choose hope as a life principle and adopt it as an ego management, stating, “A person who chooses hope as an emotional belief considers a positive option in every situation. Children are born with a sense of hope; they think everything is possible and fear nothing. We learn despair later, and what is learned can be changed. Despair, on the other hand, is prevalent in oppressive and authoritarian cultures. In these cultures, people delegate everything to a leader or individuals they deem sacred, and do not think for themselves. However, for hope to exist, there must be free thought and questioning.”
Hope Creates the Power to Struggle…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, pointing out that hope creates the power to struggle in people, stated the following:
“In history, even when everyone lost hope, societies rose because their leader did not lose hope. This was also the case during the War of Independence. For example, when İzmir was occupied, Denizli Mufti Nusret Efendi gathered the public and told them to each pick up a stone and throw these stones towards İzmir. This is an example of psychological resistance. Yavuz Sultan Selim, when going on a campaign, used to say, ‘The campaign is ours, victory is from Allah.’ Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, during the War of Independence, kept hope alive by saying 'Either independence or death.' Such expressions give people the power to struggle and provide direction. Hope, as a strong emotional belief, provides powerful motivation for a person to achieve positive results in life. If there is a strong emotion, the brain works in that direction and finds a way out. Keeping hope high brings success. Thomas Edison, when his laboratory burned down at the age of 67, preserved his hope by saying, 'All our mistakes have burned down,' and found the sound recording device three weeks later.”
Hopeful people are more energetic and vibrant in reaching their goals and have a positive influencing power. This is also reflected in their body language,” he concluded.
