The tendency of mildly depressed people to make accurate rather than self-serving judgments is referred to as
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is depressive realism.
Explanation:
Depressive realism is a phenomenon observed in individuals who experience mild depression. It suggests that mildly depressed individuals tend to have a more accurate or realistic perception of themselves and their surroundings compared to non-depressed individuals, who may have a more positive or self-serving bias. People with mild depression are less likely to engage in self-enhancement and often perceive situations, including their own abilities and outcomes, more objectively.
In contrast, individuals without depression or those with higher levels of self-esteem might engage in a “positive illusion,” where they tend to view themselves and their situations in a more favorable light. This could include overestimating their abilities or seeing themselves as more successful or capable than they truly are. Such tendencies are linked to cognitive biases like the self-serving bias, where people attribute their successes to internal factors (like talent or effort) but blame external factors (like luck or others’ actions) for their failures.
Research into depressive realism suggests that, while mild depression might lead to a more accurate judgment of situations, it does not necessarily mean that depression is desirable or beneficial. Being overly critical of oneself can be harmful and lead to further mental health challenges. However, the concept of depressive realism helps to highlight that depression can influence cognitive processes, sometimes leading to a clearer, though potentially more negative, understanding of reality.
This theory does not apply to severe depression, where cognitive distortions, such as hopelessness or worthlessness, can impair judgment. Instead, depressive realism is mainly observed in individuals with mild or moderate depression, who may still possess the ability to engage in realistic assessments without being overwhelmed by negative thoughts.