Angela Duckworth, researcher on self-control and grit, discusses her findings on grit, the evolution of the concept, misconceptions and differentiation of grit and self-control, feasibility of having multiple super goals, determinants of achievement, and measuring grit.
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Quick takeaways
Grit and self-control are distinct concepts with their own unique contributions to achievement.
Achievement is a result of both skill developed through talent and effort.
Grit is partly influenced by genetics but can still be cultivated through effort and environmental factors.
Deep dives
Grit and Self-Control
Grit and self-control are two related but distinct concepts. Grit is defined as sustained self-regulation in the service of superordinate goals, while self-control is the ability to choose between conflicting impulses. Grit involves passion and perseverance for long-term goals and is focused on higher-level, abstract goals that remain consistent over time. Self-control, on the other hand, deals with making choices that bring long-term benefits over immediate rewards. Both grit and self-control are important for achievement, and while they are highly correlated, they have their own unique contributions.
The Determinants of Achievement
According to Angela Duckworth, achievement is a multiplicative product of skill and effort. Skill is developed through talent and effort, and effort counts twice in the achievement equation. Effort is not only responsible for developing skill, but it also makes that skill productive. However, it's important to note that talent plays a crucial role, and effort alone cannot compensate for a lack of talent. While effort has a significant impact on achievement, it needs to be combined with an adequate level of talent in order to reach the highest level of skill and productivity.
The Role of Genes and Heritability
Angela Duckworth acknowledges that genetics plays a role in various psychological traits, including grit. She points out that just like other psychological traits, grit has a heritability coefficient, indicating that people may differ in their natural predisposition to be gritty. However, she emphasizes that heritability does not mean immutability, and the influence of genes on grit can still be modified through environmental factors. The heritability of grit falls in line with other personality traits, and while genes may contribute to individual differences, it is still possible to develop and cultivate grit through effort and other environmental influences.
The Value of Grit
Grit is defined as the perseverance and passion towards long-term goals that give life meaning and purpose. It differs from self-control in that it specifically pertains to goals that are part of one's life-defining hierarchy. Grit and self-control are closely related to conscientiousness in the Big Five personality traits, but grit encompasses passion and enduring interest in a specific pursuit. While grit is partly heritable, it can also be cultivated through interventions. One such intervention involves teaching individuals about deliberate practice, which involves practicing beyond one's current skill level, receiving feedback, and persisting. This intervention has been shown to increase the amount of deliberate practice and improve objective measures of achievement, especially among individuals with below-average skills. However, sustained changes in beliefs and work habits require ongoing reinforcement and support.
Measuring Grit and Addressing Criticisms
Measuring grit can be done through various methods, including character report cards and academic diligence tasks. Grit is not solely determined by standardized test scores, which have limitations as predictors of academic achievement. Rather, grit is more closely associated with grade point average and the ability to persist in challenging tasks. While some critics argue that grit is merely a rebranding of conscientiousness, research demonstrates that grit encompasses enduring passion and purpose, distinct from the more general sense of conscientiousness. Criticisms are valuable and contribute to scientific inquiry, encouraging researchers to refine their understanding and challenge existing beliefs.
Angela Duckworth researches self-control and grit, which is defined as passion and perseverance for long term goals. Her research has demonstrated that there are factors that can be more predictive of success than IQ. In this episode we cover some of her findings on grit, including academic and popular misconceptions of this work. We also discuss research on standardized testing, self-control and more.
