Symposium Summary:

The conceptual and empirical findings on hope presented in this symposium are the result of ten years of cooperative work performed by several researchers engaged in the Hope Barometer International Research Network. Year after year, around 5,000 to 10,000 participants have been providing valuable insights for a deeper understanding of what and how people in different countries hope in daily life and, by doing so, experience the positive effects of a hopeful future orientation. This Symposium aims to reveal the importance of a hopeful attitude and of fundamental values and basic beliefs for the creation of a better future and to convey the conviction that everyone, no matter what the situation is, can hope for and contribute to this future. A better future can rarely be achieved by individuals alone, but almost exclusively in a community of hopers. One core message of the Symposium is that hope is an essential part of life for every individual all over the globe and that each person can perceive and express hope in a very individual way.

Symposium Presentation 1: Hope across Cultures – Conceptual, Theoretical and Methodological Foundations

Presenter: Andreas M. Krafft

Abstract: Based on the similarities and complementary views of different conceptualizations of hope, a basic trans-disciplinary concept of hope will be presented. The proposed concept should do justice to the essence of hope, taking into account the diversity of situations in which people might hope and being sensitive to different cultural backgrounds. Our conceptualization of hope contains three fundamental elements, which are (1) a wish or desire for a valuable good, (2) the belief that the realization of this wish is possible but uncertain or even unlikely, and (3) the trust in the availability of current or future internal and external resources which can facilitate the fulfillment of the hoped-for good in the face of obstacles and setbacks. We understand wish, belief, and trust as the universal elements in the process of hoping. In concrete situations and different cultural contexts, these three elements can assume different forms and characteristics related to different cognitive, affective, behavioral, social, religious, and value dimensions. The singular elements and dimensions serve as the core research domains, which will be elaborated on in detail in the following presentations of this symposium.

Symposium Presentation 2: Values and targets of hope

Presenter: Andreas M. Krafft & Helena Agueda Marujo

Abstract: This presentation is dedicated to evaluate the first element of the proposed hope concept, examining the role of human values in the general perception of hope and in the adoption of significant targets of hope across different cultures. The study employed the value model of Shalom Schwartz and elaborated conceptual connections to the phenomenon of hope. Based on data collected with the Hope Barometer in November 2018 (N=5,832) in German and French speaking Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic, this study analyzes the commonalities and cultural differences in the levels of perceived hope, in individual hope targets, and in the effects of particular human value orientations on hope. Our findings indicate that hope is not determined by the wealth of a nation (e.g., in terms of GDP) but by personal and collective characteristics influenced by basic human values. The results disclose the almost universal significance of self-transcendence and openness to change, as well as the relevance of tradition and achievement in relation to a hopeful attitude and to central prosocial and altruistic targets of hope. Beyond common features across cultures, this study reveals cultural differences worth to be further investigated in future studies.

Symposium Presentation 3: Long-term future expectations and collective hope

Presenter: Andres M. Krafft, Helena Agueda Marujo & Tharina Guse

Abstract:  The purpose of this presentation is to explore the definition of collective hope as the shared desire for a better future not only for oneself, but for the entire social community, the belief that a better future for all is possible but not necessarily guaranteed or even likely, and the trust in the human capacity to cooperate and support each other towards the realization of a better world despite current struggles and challenges. Conceptually we chose an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from Positive Psychology, Futures Studies, and Pragmatic Hope Philosophy. After introducing the concept of collective hope we present the nature and role of images of the future in terms of probable, possible and desired future trends and scenarios. Based on data collected with the Hope Barometer across 12 countries in November 2019 (N=10,665), we evaluate people’s long-term future expectations regarding the general quality of life, social trends and expected as well as wished-for future scenarios. We then relate these expectations to perceived hope and social well-being. Our results suggest that long-term social expectations are significantly more pessimistic in European than in non-European countries and that personal hope levels are significantly higher in countries outside Europe. Moreover, an overwhelming majority of participants in this study preferred a social-sustainable over an individualist-competitive future scenario. Whereas future prospects had a significant effect on hope and (social) well-being, desirable images of the future hardly displayed an effect. Our findings highlight the importance of encouraging people to develop new positive pictures of the future which could foster hope, belief, and trust in a flourishing and sustainable world and to get engaged in its realization.

Symposium Presentation 4:

Title: Trust, social support and hope resources

Presenter: Andreas M. Krafft & Tharina Guse

Abstract: The last presentation is dedicated to the exploration of different sources and activities of hope across countries. In particular, we explore how these serve as expressions of trust and confidence in the availability of resources, nourishing the belief in the feasibility and supporting the realization of wished-for goods considered to be possible, although not necessarily probable. Following an interdisciplinary approach, we integrate perspectives from the disciplines of Positive Psychology, Risk Management, and the Philosophy of Hope to elucidate the difference between trust and confidence. We further differentiate between perceived hope, on the one hand, and dispositional hope and optimism, on the other, backed in this interdisciplinary approach. Using data from the Hope Barometer in 2018 and 2019 we investigate the role of internal and external sources and activities of hope in two studies. Study 1 comprised 12 countries (N=10,193) and aims to analyze several personal and external hope sources with a specific focus on social support, religiosity and the feeling of luck in relation to hope. Study 2 was performed with 8 samples from 7 countries (N=6,245), centering on the assessment of several hope activities and their effects on perceived hope. Our findings highlight the importance of social, religious and other external factors of hope, demonstrate the differential nature of perceived and dispositional hope, and show significant differences between countries regarding the role of trust in individual capabilities, in emotional and instrumental support as well as in religious/spiritual experiences and practices.