Högskolan i Skövde

Optimism bias (OB), the tendency to expect positive outcomes while underestimating the likelihood of negative events, profoundly influences human cognition and behavior. Previous research has found neural correlates of OB; however a gap persists due to methodological variability and excluding related concepts of OB. This systematic review synthesizes findings from six functional magnetic resonance imaging studies investigating the neural correlates of OB. We identified two main paradigms: probability estimation tasks, where participants estimate future event likelihoods, and belief update tasks, where participants revise initial estimates of adverse life events after receiving actual statistics. This review aimed to compare the neural correlates involved in optimism bias across these tasks. Across probability estimation tasks, increased activity in regions linked to attentional processing, self-referential evaluation, and reward anticipation was observed during estimation of positive outcomes. Conversely, belief update tasks revealed that participants made greater adjustments toward favorable estimations than unfavorable estimations, with associated neural activity suggesting the role of cognitive control and emotional regulation correlates. Key brain regions include the anterior cingulate cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus. Clinical implications underscore the relevance of OB in mental health interventions, suggesting potential avenues for promoting resilience and well-being. Despite notable findings, caution in generalizing results is necessary due to limitations such as sample size and homogeneity. Future directions advocate for diverse participant demographics, multimodal neuroimaging approaches, and investigations in clinical populations to enhance the understanding of the neural correlates of OB and inform targeted interventions for psychological well-being.