Hope is an optimistic state of mind, defined as expecting positive outcomes with confidence, and plays a fundamental role across various aspects of human life, including religion, literature, and culture. In psychology, scholars like Barbara Fredrickson emphasize hope's power during crises to unlock creative possibilities, while Charles R. Snyder linked it to goal-setting, realistic planning, and mental willpower.

Snyder's influential "Hope Theory" postulates that hopeful thinking comprises three core components: defining clear goals, identifying multiple pathways to achieve them, and possessing agency, which is the belief in one's capacity to instigate change and follow those pathways. This theory defines hope as the perceived capability to derive and use pathways to desired goals, motivating oneself through agency. Individuals strong in these three areas are seen as resilient and capable of persevering despite obstacles, and this can be measured using tools like Snyder's "Hope Scale" to assess one's determination and realistic outlook.