<p>I'm not sure what study Seligman is referring to, but I can suggest that you look into Shelley Taylor's work on positive illusions. Her <a href="http://taylorlab.psych.ucla.edu/1983_Adjustment%20to%20Threatening%20Events_A%20Theory%20of%20Cognitive%20Adaptation.pdf" rel="nofollow">original 1983 work</a> looked into the coping mechanisms of a group of cancer patients undergoing treatment, and followed them into their lives after recovering from their illness. She found that individuals who felt that they were better than their peers at dealing with the cancer, felt that they had some control over the cancer's course, and that their future was brighter than that of others, had a better chance of returning to or exceeding their original quality of life before the illness. These beliefs are called "positive illusions", and are outlined clearly in <a href="http://web.psych.utoronto.ca/psy430/Taylor&amp;Brown_Positive%20Illusions%20and%20Well-Being%20Revisited.pdf" rel="nofollow">Taylor &amp; Brown (1994)</a>. </p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

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2013-09-25T12:53:08.037Z
Thanks, I still need to grab a copy of the book to find the exact reference, but perhaps this is the same study as it was not Selligman alone, but IIRC, one of his former labmates who originally had wanted to study under him.
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2013-09-25T12:50:35.227Z
2013-09-25T12:50:35.227Z
tenomushi
<p>In Dr. Martin Seligman's book, <a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1400078393" rel="nofollow">"Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life"</a>, there was mention of a study involving teaching cancer patients to fight learned helplessness.</p>

<p>I believe this study commenced around 1990, but could not find any information on the study online. </p>

<p>I would like to know if now, more than 20 years later, if the group showed improvements in battling the cancer.</p>

<neuroscience><reference-request><positive-psychology><health-psychology>
Where to find published results of positive psychology cancer treatment study mentioned in Martin Seligman's book?
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# Where to find published results of positive psychology cancer treatment study mentioned in Martin Seligman's book?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-08-13)

In Dr. Martin Seligman's book, ["Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life"](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1400078393), there was mention of a study involving teaching cancer patients to fight learned helplessness.

I believe this study commenced around 1990, but could not find any information on the study online.

I would like to know if now, more than 20 years later, if the group showed improvements in battling the cancer.

**Tags:** neuroscience, reference-request, positive-psychology, health-psychology


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-09-25. Score: 3

I'm not sure what study Seligman is referring to, but I can suggest that you look into Shelley Taylor's work on positive illusions. Her [original 1983 work](http://taylorlab.psych.ucla.edu/1983_Adjustment%20to%20Threatening%20Events_A%20Theory%20of%20Cognitive%20Adaptation.pdf) looked into the coping mechanisms of a group of cancer patients undergoing treatment, and followed them into their lives after recovering from their illness. She found that individuals who felt that they were better than their peers at dealing with the cancer, felt that they had some control over the cancer's course, and that their future was brighter than that of others, had a better chance of returning to or exceeding their original quality of life before the illness. These beliefs are called "positive illusions", and are outlined clearly in [Taylor & Brown (1994)](http://web.psych.utoronto.ca/psy430/Taylor&Brown_Positive%20Illusions%20and%20Well-Being%20Revisited.pdf).

Hope this helps!

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks, I still need to grab a copy of the book to find the exact reference, but perhaps this is the same study as it was not Selligman alone, but IIRC, one of his former labmates who originally had wanted to study under him.  

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