Final answer:
People who typically expect negative life outcomes illustrate pessimism, a tendency to see the worst in things. It differs from problem-focused coping and isn't associated with Type A personality traits or an internal locus of control.
Step-by-step explanation:
People who typically anticipate that their outcomes in life will be negative best illustrate pessimism. This psychological term refers to a tendency to expect and see the worst in things or believe that the worst will happen. It is not to be confused with problem-focused coping, which involves actively solving a problem causing stress; the Type A personality, which is characterized by competitiveness and impatience; or an internal locus of control, which indicates belief in personal control over outcomes.
Seligman's study suggests that individuals who make internal, stable, and global attributions for negative life events may be prone to depression. Coping strategies are critical, with problem-focused coping being helpful in controllable situations and emotion-focused coping being effective in uncontrollable circumstances. Attribution habits can be improved with practice, potentially reducing vulnerability to depression.