Mania Risk, Overconfidence, and Ambition

Previous research has documented heightened confidence and ambition among persons who are prone to mania. The current study was designed to extend this work by using a more specific measure of overconfidence than has been used in prior research, and to evaluate the degree of correlation of overconfidence with ambition. University students (N = 224) completed measures of mania risk (the Hypomanic Personality Scale), overconfidence (Overclaiming Scale), ambition (The Willingly Approached Set of Statistically Unlikely Pursuits), and affective state. Ambition was relatively independent of confidence. Findings support a model of ambition as a stable correlate of mania risk, whereas confidence may increase with happiness. Potential implications for functioning, treatment, and prevention are considered.