T-Rex: Depressive realism is the theory that depressed people have a more accurate view of the world than the non depressed. It started when psychologists experimented with some regular chicks and dudes AND some depressed chicks and dudes.
T-Rex: That's how these things always start!!
T-Rex: Anyway, they put them in a room with a button and a lightbulb. The light turned on and off regardless of when the button was pressed, and the participants who were depressed were more likely to conclude that they weren't in control of the light! The non-depressed people DELUDED THEMSELVES into thinking they had more influence. The popular conclusion was that depressed people saw things more realistically!
Utahraptor: That's a pretty strong conclusion!
T-Rex: Sure is!
T-Rex: And it turns out that the effect only shows up in specific trivial situations! But it's a popular idea. I think some people just like the idea that depression might be an advantage!
Utahraptor: ESPECIALLY depressed people.
T-Rex: But not TOO much, because then they wouldn't be depressed anymore!
Narrator: AT THE PARK:
T-Rex: Excuse me, sir, you look depressed! Would you say you have a more accurate view of the world?
Off panel: I'm not depressed! I'm just eating a sandwich.
T-Rex: A sandwich... made out of your own tears??
Off panel: HOW DID YOU KNOW
