C. R. Snyder's Approaching Hope

"The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best" (dictionary.com). What comes out of this definition, is the word hope. Hope is one of the positive constructs in psychology. C.R. Snyder wrote an article called "Approaching Hope" and it best describes the word and how it can be measured.

According to C.R. Snyder, hope is reflected as an outlook from a desired goal. He uses the example of a college student stating "I hope to graduate in four years" (Approaching Hope). Another example could be "I hope to save money so that I can buy a new car". Hope can be broken into two parts; the will and the way. The first part to this is called pathways thinking. Pathways thinking (the way) is the belief that people

Hope can be measured through an instrument that is widely used. It is a trait-like index called the Hope Scale. The Hope Scale that is used often is for adults. This scale contains of eight items on which the test taker rate how true each item is to them. The scale is broken into four pathway items and four agency items. (Approaching Hope).

High Hope People Vs Low Hope People

Adults who score higher in hope have the following:

1. They have dealt with injuries, diseases and physical pain better

2. They have scored higher in satisfaction, self-esteem, optimism, meaning in life and happiness.

3. They have performed better in sports

4. They have excelled in academics (elementary to graduate school).

People who have a higher level in hope show persistent in showing more beneficial outcomes in different platforms of life (Approaching Hope).

Adults who score lower in hope have the opposite of adults who score higher in hope. They are the following:

1. They do not deal with injuries, diseases and physical pain

= Somewhat False

4. = Slightly False

5. = Slightly True

6. = Somewhat True

7. = Mostly True

8. = Definitely True

The Trait Hope Scale-Sample

_1. I am able to think of many ways how I can become a better person in life

_2. I feel fatigue most of the time

_3. I worry about how I will turn out to be in my future.

_4. I know that what I did in my past is what made me who I am today and who I will be in the future.

_5. I will find a way to graduate with all A's this semester.

_6. I have always accomplished everything I have set my mind towards.

_7. If I ever got lost, I can find a way to get back home without the help of anyone or a map.

_8. I worry if I am not in good shape.

_9. I always find a way to make a new friend everywhere I go.

_10. When I put my mind to something, I put all my energy and time into it.

_11. I easily become defensive when someone says something negative about me.

_12. I became a great basketball player because I put in hard work at practices.

To find out the score, the following must be summed up:

Pathway subscale: Add up numbers 1,5,7 and 9.

Agency subsclae: Add up numbers 4.6.10 and 12.

The Hope Scale score comes from the sum of the two subscales. According to Snyder, scores can range from a low of 8 to a high 64. (Approaching