Adaptive Hope: A Quantitative/Nomothetic Approach
Gwinn and Hellman (2022) offer a clear example of this approach. They present an Adult Hope Scale (Chapter Five), as well as a Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (Chapter Four) and a set of Hope Scales related to specific domains of life (Appendix). In each instance, descriptions are each rated as to the extent this description is “true” for the person completing the questionnaire. Gwinn and Hellman provide extensive guidance regarding how to interpret and use scores from these quantitative assessments.
As with all self-assessment tools, there is always the matter of self-deception and honesty in completing the tool. Some of the much more elaborate assessment tools (such as the MMPI) provide specific items that “test” for honesty; however, it is very hard to test for self-deception. Some assessment tools come with a version that is to be filled out by other people. However, Hope is a very internal matter, so that assessments being made by other people regarding one’s level of hope are likely to be of only limited value: they would mostly be assessing the extent to which Hope is being opening displayed. To what extent does the person being assessed “wear Hope on their sleeve!”
Adaptive Hope: A Qualitative/Idiographic Approach
Once again, we can point to the presentation of Hope that is offered by Gwinn and Hellman. They offer many “Stories” concerning women and men who have exhibited remarkable Hope. In many instances, these stories concern Hope arising in the midst of adversity – classic examples of Adaptive home.
As with the use of qualitative measures of Adaptive Hope, there are several drawbacks associated with qualitative assessments of this complex and often elusive phenomenon. First, the examples being presented are always highly selective. We can find examples of virtually any human characteristic if we search for it. Second, the story being told is always partial. The “whole” story can never be told. It would require a moment-by-moment recounting of the person’s entire life. Hope is particularly difficult to capture in a several page description. Moments of despair and nights of bewilderment will always accompany moments of Hope and nights of courage and determination. While thoughtful and caring analyses are offered by Gwinn and Hellman alongside constructive advice, it is virtually impossible to provide guidance regarding all of the emotions and behaviors that accompany any struggle to forge an emotion of Adaptive Hope amid abuse, discrimination or intrusive life events.
Aspirational Hope: A Quantitative/Nomothetic Approach
Investment resides at the heart of the matter regarding behavior that provides evidence of Aspirational Hope. If we are hopeful about the stock market, then we invest heavily in stocks; if we are hopeful about the future value of education and an advanced degree in our society, then we invest in the tuition required for us or our children to attain education and complete a degree program. If we are hopeful about an intimate relationship in which we are now engaged, then we invest in a gift for this loved person, invest in a romantic vacation with our lover, or invest with our soon-to-be partner in pre-marital counselling.
The level of hope and investment could be “calculated” by determine what percent of the total income of a “hopeful” person is invested in a particular domain (finance, education, intimate relationship). This could be done on a mass level, for example, by calculating the percent of income invested during a specific time-period in various financial markets by a large number of people. This could be a nomothetic indicator of overall “hope” regarding the financial future for a particular society. Something similar could be done regarding education and intimate relationships by determining the percent of total income devoted to educational endeavors or “courting” behavior.
