Abstract: The article is devoted to philosophical, psyhological and sociological approaches to understanding socio-cultural phenomena of hope and optimism in modern culture. The purpose of the article is to study both universal and specific aspects of hope and optimism in terms of Polish culture and society. Based on practical sociological researches the author analyzes the significance and peculiarities of hope and optimism in the Polish system of values and mentality. The author makes an emphasis on manifestations of hope and optimism dominating in the Polish society and explains the reasons contributing to the development of defensive and 'expansive' optimism. During the transformation period experienced by the Polish society, hope was very similar to that in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Optimistm or pessimism has been closely related to the social structure of the society as well as the political and economic environment. The role of defensive optimism is usually growing for people who are experiencing a difficult life situation. On the contray, well-to-do people who have a good job and don't have any health issues are more concerned about the expansive optimism as it is aimed at achieving life success.