Nov. 12--There's one in every office: the cheerful, glass-half-full person who spreads sweetness and light everywhere she goes.

Do you secretly hate her because you view life through a slightly darker lens? You may be better off.

According to new research conducted at the University of New South Wales, grumpy people think more clearly.

Professor Joe Forgas, a psychology expert in the study of emotions, told the British Broadcasting Co. a grumpy person is more likely to cope with more demanding situations than his cheerful counterpart because of the way the brain "promotes information-processing strategies."

"Negative moods trigger more attentive, careful thinking, paying greater attention to the outside world," Forgas said in an interview with the BBC, "whereas positive moods seem to promote creativity, flexibility, cooperation and reliance on mental shortcuts."

During his research, Forgas asked volunteers to watch films and concentrate on either positive or negative events in their lives, then participate in a series of tasks -- including judging the truth of urban myths and providing eyewitness accounts of events.

Results indicated the subjects who were in bad moods performed better than those who were happy. The curmudgeons made fewer mistakes and were better at communication.

Forgas' research also indicated terse people were generally better at proving their points via written arguments: "A mildly negative mood may actually promote a more concrete, accommodative and ultimately more successful communication style."

The Daily Press conducted an unscientific, online poll, asking readers how they felt about the research.

Of 26 respondents, 42.31 percent said they are usually cheerful, normally make good decisions and think clearly, and thus they disagree with the findings. A little over 34 percent admitted they are curmudgeons, rational thinkers, and therefore agree with the research. Fifteen percent said although they are perpetually in foul moods, they spend most of their time addled, and doubt the results of the study. A little over 7 percent said they were unsure how they felt.

Area resident Kathy Tibbits thinks the researchers may be onto something.

"I think this is why it is easier to remember the lyrics to blues songs," said Tibbits. "After all these years, did anyone ever learn the words to Barney the Dinosaur song? No. Probably because it is too cheery. Just in case I ever get to be on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,' I keep five wise curmudgeons on speed dial on my phone."

Cherie Burbach, blogger for BlissTree.com, also read about the research, and said the findings make perfect sense to her.

"There has been a movement ever since [the self-help book] 'The Secret' came out, that says if you think only positive thoughts and focus on your goal, you will attract positive things to you," wrote Burbach. "This is great advice, but not always realistic. For example, sometimes life is unpredictable, and even the most wonderful, blessed positive people get slammed with something devastating. During those times, it is extremely helpful to let your anger out. Acknowledge it."

Local travel agent Linda Spyres falls into the cheerful category, but she doesn't necessarily think it compromises her intellect.

"I would describe myself as positive, looking on the bright side of life, and trying to see the best side of others," said Spyres. "I disagree with the research. Since that professor's [from] 'Down Under,' [I think] he got mixed up and really meant the opposite of what he said."

Susan Long holds down a full-time job and takes classes at Northeastern State University, and she's not sure she can agree with the research.

"But I do agree moods can certainly dictate your productivity," she said. "I'm not exactly a chipper person -- some can view my personality otherwise -- but I don't consider myself grumpy all of the time. I am incredibly efficient with my work, planning out my next steps ahead of time and executing them well. It bothers me when people interfere with my plans. On the other hand, I don't want to work with super-happy people, either. That would get old real fast."

Tibbits speculated the research may be indicative of mental illness.

"The dark side of all this research is that it probably matches up with mild bipolarism," she said. "Doesn't depression kind of go with obsessive-compulsive behavior? Maybe incoming learning sort of hits a velvet black wall in the backs of our minds, instead of bouncing right back out like sunshine without getting absorbed, learned and remembered. That's my goofy theory of the day, anyway."

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