What term refers to a person's outlook on life, typically described as either positive or negative?

The term that best describes a person's outlook on life, characterized as either positive or negative, is attitude. Attitude encompasses an individual's feelings, beliefs, and behaviors toward various aspects of life and influences how they respond to situations and challenges. A positive attitude generally leads to optimism and resilience, while a negative attitude may lead to pessimism or defeatism. This concept is crucial in understanding personal behavior and motivation, as it directly affects interactions with others and overall mental health.

Mindset, while related, typically refers to a broader mental framework or a set of beliefs that shape how individuals interpret and respond to challenges and opportunities. Perspective pertains to the way a person views a situation, which can influence their attitude but is not synonymous with it. Disposition refers to a person's inherent qualities of mind and character but does not specifically address the emotional inclination toward positivity or negativity.