Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., "Will Power: Grit, Self-Control, and Achievement," 11.29.12.

Introduction to Grit and Self-Control

Overview of the Presentation

• The speaker introduces a presentation involving two questionnaires related to grit and self-control, which are included in an 11 by 17 portfolio.

• Participants are instructed on how to score themselves using the grit scale, emphasizing that scores should be calculated by adding numbers from checked statements and dividing by ten.

• A graphic is provided for participants to rank their grit relative to a random sample of American adults, indicating where they fall on the grit percentile.

Understanding Grit

• Items reflecting high levels of grit include perseverance traits such as not being discouraged by setbacks and finishing what one starts; these are scored higher (5 being "very much like me").

• Conversely, items indicating low levels of grit (e.g., losing interest quickly) are scored lower (1 being "very much like me").

Self-Control Assessment

• The second questionnaire focuses on self-control, with similar scoring methods. High-scoring items reflect strong self-discipline and resistance to temptation.

• Items that indicate poor self-control (e.g., acting without thinking or getting easily distracted) are scored inversely.

William James's Influence on Achievement

Contextualizing the Talk

• The speaker shares their motivation for discussing achievement through the lens of William James, a prominent psychologist at Harvard.

Key Insights from William James

• In his 1906 essay "The Energies of Men," James argues that most individuals utilize only a fraction of their potential mental and physical resources.

• He emphasizes that even exceptional individuals often fall short of their capabilities, suggesting a universal struggle with maximizing potential.

Fundamental Questions in Psychology

• William James posits that psychology can be framed around two essential questions: identifying talents and abilities, and understanding what factors unleash these potentials.

Understanding Talent and Success: Insights from Will Smith and Historical Perspectives

The Measurement of Talent

• The focus on measuring talent has been prevalent for the last century, with significant attention given to metrics like SAT scores and gifted program admissions.

• Recently, there has been a shift towards understanding what unleashes potential, as highlighted by William James.

Will Smith's Perspective on Hard Work

• A humorous video featuring Will Smith emphasizes his belief that success is about persistence rather than innate talent.

• Smith describes life as a treadmill where he refuses to give up; either others will quit before him or he will continue until he succeeds.

• He asserts that despite varying levels of talent among individuals, his tenacity sets him apart in achieving success.

Historical Context: Francis Galton's Research

• Francis Galton conducted one of the first systematic studies on success over a century ago, focusing on various eminent individuals across different fields.

• He identified three key factors contributing to success: talent (ability), zeal (passion), and persistent hard work.

Darwin's Agreement with Galton

• Charles Darwin agreed with Galton’s findings, suggesting that differences in achievement stem more from zeal and hard work than intellect alone.

• Darwin characterized himself not as a genius but as someone who maintained passion for scientific questions over decades.

Modern Research on Skill Development

• Fast forward to contemporary research; Anders Ericsson studies world-class performers across various domains to uncover universal laws of skill development.

• His work suggests that no one is born knowing complex skills; instead, skill acquisition is a gradual process influenced by practice and dedication.

Understanding Deliberate Practice

The Nature of Skill Acquisition

• Skills are acquired over a lifetime, distinguishing humans from animals like horses that can run immediately after birth.

• Anders Ericsson emphasizes that experience alone does not guarantee skill development; it requires a specific type of practice known as deliberate practice.

Deliberate Practice Explained

• Accumulated hours of practice do not automatically lead to skill; the quality and focus of practice matter significantly.

• Deliberate practice involves pushing oneself beyond current abilities, focusing on specific aspects of performance rather than general improvement.

Key Components of Deliberate Practice

• Feedback is crucial in deliberate practice; it helps individuals understand their performance and areas for improvement.

• Repetition is essential; practicing the same skills consistently leads to mastery over time.

Challenges in Skill Development

• Despite understanding deliberate practice, many people struggle to improve due to lack of effortful engagement and concentration.

• High levels of effort are required for effective practice, which often makes it unenjoyable and challenging.

Insights from Research on Athletes and Musicians

• World-class performers typically engage in about four hours of intense deliberate practice daily, leading to approximately 10,000 hours over ten years—a concept popularized by Malcolm Gladwell.

• Martha Graham's perspective aligns with this idea, stating that achieving mastery takes around ten years filled with significant challenges and frustrations.

Reflections on Learning Experiences

• Many students may perceive others as effortlessly skilled while they struggle, highlighting the disparity in individual experiences during learning processes.

Understanding Pluralistic Ignorance and Grit

The Concept of Pluralistic Ignorance

• Pluralistic ignorance is a psychological phenomenon where individuals mistakenly believe that others hold different beliefs or perceptions, reinforcing a collective misimpression.

• This concept highlights how people often showcase only their successes and talents, leading to the illusion that effort and practice are not necessary for achievement.

Impact on Young People

• Young individuals may feel isolated in their struggles, believing they are exceptions to the norm when, in reality, everyone faces challenges.

• A quote from Martha Graham emphasizes that everyone experiences difficulties; acknowledging this can help normalize the struggle associated with growth and learning.

Introduction to Grit

• Grit is defined as sustained passion and perseverance toward long-term goals. It consists of two main components: loyalty to interests over time and persistence in effort.

• The duration of focused interest varies by age; for children, it may span months or years, while adults might maintain focus over decades.

Research Findings on Spelling Bee Participants

• In studying participants of the National Spelling Bee, researchers aimed to determine whether success was due to innate talent or other factors.

• The director of the National Spelling Bee agreed to allow surveys before finals, revealing insights into what contributes to winning.

Key Insights from Research

• Findings indicated that grittier children were more likely to win spelling competitions across multiple years.

• Activities contributing to improvement could be categorized into deliberate practice (focused study), testing by family members, and engaging in enjoyable word-related leisure activities.

Understanding Grit and Its Impact on Performance

The Role of Deliberate Practice

• Grittier kids, as indicated in the study, engage in more hours of deliberate practice, which is a strong predictor of success in finals compared to other activities like reading for fun or parental quizzes.

Openness to Experience and Achievement

• The study also measured openness to experience, revealing that traits such as curiosity and enjoyment of learning inversely correlate with performance outcomes.

• This finding suggests that high levels of openness may not necessarily lead to better achievement, raising questions about how we measure success.

Insights from West Point Military Academy

• Research on grit has been conducted at West Point Military Academy, known for its rigorous selection process aimed at identifying candidates who can endure the challenges of military training.

• The admissions process is extensive; they aim to select individuals who are likely to succeed without dropping out due to the significant costs associated with each dropout.

Predicting Retention Through Grit

• A study was designed to assess whether grit could predict retention during the challenging transition period for new cadets at West Point.

• Findings showed that grit consistently predicted which cadets would remain through their first summer, unlike traditional measures like the whole candidate score.

Talent vs. Grit: A Complex Relationship

• Interestingly, both low and high performers based on talent metrics (whole candidate score) exhibited dropout tendencies, indicating a complex relationship between talent and persistence.

• Woody Allen's quote highlights that showing up is crucial for success; thus, talent alone does not guarantee participation or perseverance in life’s challenges.

Current Research Directions at West Point

• Ongoing research aims to identify characteristics of gritty cadets by exploring their counterfactual thinking—what they believe they would be doing if not at West Point—and how this influences their commitment.

Understanding Grit and Its Impact on Retention

The Relationship Between Grit and Counterfactual Thinking

• The grittier the cadet, the more likely they are to make downward comparisons, believing that their current situation is better than alternatives.

• Grit predicts retention among cadets; those who do not dwell on other options tend to stay longer.

• The speaker emphasizes that while grit is important, it may not be the sole factor in success.

Success Stories and Their Implications

• Successful individuals often "burn their bridges," committing fully to a path without considering alternatives.

• Lack of peripheral vision can be maladaptive; this raises questions about the balance between focus and flexibility.

Teach for America: A Case Study in Grit

• Teach for America recruits young graduates to teach in impoverished schools, emphasizing relentless persistence as key to effective teaching.

• A study was conducted to determine if grittier teachers were more effective over time compared to less gritty counterparts.

Optimism's Role in Grit and Effectiveness

• Optimism is defined as the ability to identify specific changeable aspects of negative situations rather than generalizing failures.

• Optimistic individuals tend to find actionable solutions instead of catastrophizing their circumstances.

Findings from Teach for America Study

• Teachers with higher optimism levels before entering classrooms also exhibited greater grit and life satisfaction.

• Happy teachers demonstrated better performance, leading students to achieve greater academic gains compared to less happy peers.

Personal Reflections on Optimism

• A student shared how optimism helped her cope with challenges, highlighting its importance in developing grit during adversity.

• The speaker notes that grit encompasses more than just counterfactual thinking; it includes an optimistic outlook as a crucial component.

Insights Beyond Research Data

• The speaker reflects on advice regarding choosing easy work versus hard work based on personal experiences rather than formal research.

Career Choices and Self-Control

The Midlife Crisis Conversation

• A conversation begins with an individual experiencing a midlife crisis in San Francisco, seeking career advice from the speaker, who clarifies they are not a clinical psychologist.

• The individual shares their background typical of McKenzie employees: prestigious education and successful career but feeling unfulfilled and uncertain about future directions.

Exploring Interests and Challenges

• The speaker asks probing questions about the individual's interests, leading to a pivotal question: "Why don't you do that?" which prompts reflection on personal choices.

• The individual reveals a self-imposed rule to always take the hardest path, associating difficulty with growth through deliberate practice and effort.

Choosing vs. Working

• The speaker emphasizes that while hard work is essential for improvement, choosing what to pursue should be based on passion rather than difficulty.

• When selecting life partners or careers, one should prioritize enjoyment over challenge; once chosen based on interest, then one can focus on hard work.

Framework for Improvement

• It’s crucial to choose activities aligned with personal values and talents before engaging in deliberate practice aimed at skill enhancement.

• Improvement should be measured against oneself (yesterday's performance), while career choices require comparison with others (peers).

Understanding Stages of Career Development

• Recognizing the two stages—choosing and working—is vital; individuals often oscillate between these stages without committing fully to either.

• Many undergraduates struggle with commitment by frequently switching paths instead of dedicating time to develop skills in their chosen field.

Insights on Self-Control

• Transitioning into self-control discussions, the speaker highlights its importance alongside grit for achieving success in life.

• Citing Francis Galton's insights, talent alone isn't sufficient; managing daily distractions is equally critical for long-term achievement.

Defining Temptation

• Temptations are defined as immediate pleasures that lead to regret later; understanding this concept is key to maintaining focus amidst distractions.

Understanding Temptation and Self-Control

The Nature of Temptation

• The immediate gratification from activities like browsing Facebook or indulging in snacks is highlighted as a common temptation, providing instant pleasure rather than long-term satisfaction.

• Distinction between indulgence and temptation: Indulgences do not lead to regret, while temptations are recognized as actions that one knows will result in regret almost immediately.

Self-Control Across Cultures

• Research shows that self-control is often ranked as the weakest character strength among individuals globally, indicating a universal struggle with this trait.

• Reference to the famous marshmallow experiment by Walter Mischel at Stanford University illustrates the challenge of delaying gratification in children.

The Marshmallow Experiment Explained

• In the experiment, children choose between one marshmallow now or two if they can wait. This setup tests their ability to delay gratification for a greater reward.

• The concept of maturation involves learning to delay impulses for societal benefit, echoing Freud's theories on child development and impulse control.

Insights on Self-Control Development

• Young children articulate their experiences with self-control; stories like Frog and Toad illustrate the struggle against immediate desires versus long-term goals.

• A refined definition of self-control emphasizes acting according to one's deeper values despite immediate temptations.

Cultural References and Modern Implications

• Variability in self-control abilities is acknowledged; humorous references such as Steven Colbert's spoof highlight societal awareness of these concepts.

• Increased potency and frequency of modern temptations contribute to challenges in maintaining self-control today, linking it to broader health issues like obesity.

Understanding Self-Control and Its Impact on Development

The Rise of Temptation and Self-Control Awareness

• The prevalence of easily accessible snacks increases temptation, highlighting the growing awareness of self-control's importance among children.

• Research indicates that the ability to delay gratification in childhood correlates with better academic performance (e.g., SAT scores), lower risky behaviors, and healthier BMI in late adolescence.

Delay of Gratification vs. Intelligence

• A study examined whether delay of gratification is linked to intelligence; findings suggest it is primarily related to self-control rather than IQ.

• Ratings from teachers and caregivers confirmed that self-control significantly predicts positive outcomes later in life, emphasizing its role over intelligence.

The Challenge of Immediate Rewards

• Children face a dilemma between immediate rewards (like video games) and long-term educational benefits, making self-control crucial for future success.

• Aristotle's perspective illustrates the struggle: immediate tasks may be unpleasant ("bitter roots"), while their eventual benefits are rewarding ("sweet fruit").

Insights from Recent Studies on Student Behavior

• A study involving students aged 11 to 18 revealed that all demographics recognize the importance of academic activities for their future goals but find them less enjoyable compared to other activities.

• Academic tasks consistently ranked lower in happiness compared to leisure activities, underscoring the need for self-discipline amidst more appealing distractions.

Self-Control as a Predictor of Academic Success

• Research shows that high levels of self-control correlate with better report card grades, outperforming even those with higher IQ scores among eighth graders.

• Girls tend to achieve better grades than boys due partly to greater self-control, which aligns with developmental trends indicating girls mature faster across various dimensions.

Gender Differences in Self-Control and Academic Performance

• Data analysis revealed significant advantages for girls regarding self-control; they exhibit better attention management and emotional regulation throughout development.

• Initial expectations were challenged when discovering girls received higher grades despite common perceptions favoring boys' performance on standardized tests like SAT.

Understanding Gender Differences in Academic Performance

The Role of Self-Control in Academic Success

• A long-term observation indicates that self-control advantages are consistent across all educational levels and subjects, including STEM fields. This insight suggests a need for greater public awareness regarding girls' academic performance.

• Research shows that self-control significantly influences report card grades, although its impact may not be as pronounced on standardized tests like the SAT. This discrepancy raises questions about how different skills are assessed.

• Girls achieve better grades not due to a desire to please or find school more interesting, but because they exhibit higher self-control and work ethic compared to boys.

• When controlling for various factors, motivation does not significantly affect grades; instead, it is the combination of self-control and hard work that leads to improved academic performance among girls.

Standardized Testing vs. Classroom Performance

• The speaker presents findings from a paper titled "What No Child Left Behind Leaves Behind," emphasizing the limitations of standardized testing in accurately measuring student competence.

• Standardized tests are designed for apples-to-apples comparisons of knowledge acquired in school but often assess skills and knowledge not explicitly taught, leading to an incomplete picture of student abilities.

• Intelligence plays a crucial role in performing well on standardized tests since students can leverage external knowledge gained outside the classroom context.

Broader Competencies Beyond Academics

• The discussion highlights the importance of considering additional metrics such as attendance records and teacher evaluations when assessing student capabilities beyond test scores.

• Qualities like honesty, empathy, kindness, social intelligence, and generosity should also be valued alongside academic achievements as part of holistic education assessments.

Impact of Life Events on Self-Control

• Negative life events (e.g., family issues or personal challenges) can adversely affect children's self-control over time. These stressors often lead to feelings of helplessness among children.

• Studies indicate that stressful experiences correlate with behavioral changes reflecting lower self-control in children, similar to findings observed in animal studies under stress conditions.

Sensitivity Towards Children's Circumstances

• It is essential for parents and educators to remain sensitive to children's circumstances; temporary behavioral changes may reflect their responses to immediate environmental stressors rather than inherent character flaws.

• Recognizing these influences can help adults provide better support during challenging times while understanding that maladaptive behaviors might stem from rational responses to stressors faced by children.

Understanding Impulsivity and Self-Control

The Nature of Impulsivity

• In uncertain environments, impulsive actions may seem rational; for example, choosing immediate gratification (like eating dessert) over future planning.

• While impulsivity was adaptive in evolutionary terms, it is less so in modern contexts where reactivity can hinder decision-making.

Chronic Stress and Its Effects

• Research indicates that negative life circumstances can lead to a return to baseline behavior once stressors are removed; however, chronic stress can have lasting impacts on self-control.

• Children from both low-income and high-income backgrounds experiencing chronic stress may face enduring challenges with self-regulation.

Strategies for Enhancing Self-Control

• Two key strategies for improving self-control involve resource management—akin to military strategy—where children learn how to allocate their mental resources effectively.

• By strategically increasing the importance of long-term goals and decreasing the appeal of immediate rewards, children can enhance their self-control capabilities.

Psychological Distance as a Tool

• One effective strategy involves creating psychological distance from temptations, which helps reduce their salience and allows for better emotional regulation.

• An experiment demonstrated that fifth graders who recalled an angry memory from a third-person perspective were better able to manage their emotions compared to those who relived the event from a first-person view.

Practical Applications of Psychological Distance

• The ability to reflect on past events without emotional immersion enables children to process situations more objectively, leading to fewer blame attributions and improved empathy.

• Techniques such as visualizing temptations as distant or abstract objects (e.g., marshmallows as clouds or pictures) significantly improve children's patience in waiting for rewards.

Understanding Goal Setting and Overcoming Temptation

Strategies for Managing Temptation

• Encouraging children to think about their desires, such as wanting both marshmallows, helps them distance themselves from immediate temptations. This technique can be applied to various situations, including managing angry memories.

• The second strategy discussed is MCI (Mental Contrasting with Implementation Intentions), based on research by NYU researchers Golwitzer and Eten. This method is effective for both children and adults in goal setting and planning.

Effective Goal Setting Techniques

• Traditional goal-setting often feels incomplete; it typically ends after stating a goal. A more effective approach involves a structured process that includes specific goals rather than vague aspirations.

• Specificity in goal setting is crucial. For example, instead of saying "I want to be a better student," one should define what that means—like paying attention in history class—to allow for measurable progress.

Positive Fantasy vs. Negative Reality

• After setting a specific goal, individuals should consider the positive outcomes of achieving it—a concept known as positive fantasy. For instance, improved grades can motivate students to focus on their studies.

• It’s essential to confront the negative realities or obstacles that may hinder progress toward the goal. Identifying these barriers allows individuals to strategize effectively about how to overcome them.

Planning for Success

• Once obstacles are identified, creating an implementation intention plan becomes vital. This involves formulating actionable steps that specify what one will do when faced with challenges related to their goals.

• The syntax of the plan matters significantly; using "If [cue], then [action]" creates clarity and commitment compared to vague intentions like "I'll do my work if I feel like it."

Results from Practical Application

• A study involving fifth graders demonstrated that teaching this structured approach led to significant improvements in academic performance over time, showcasing its effectiveness even among struggling students.

• In contrast, control groups focusing solely on positive fantasies without actionable plans did not show similar improvements, highlighting the importance of combining aspiration with concrete strategies for success.

Understanding the Iterative Process of Planning

The Importance of Iteration in Planning

• The speaker emphasizes the necessity of an iterative approach to planning, noting that initial plans often fail and require revision.

• It is crucial for students and children to understand that failure in executing a plan does not mean giving up; instead, they should evaluate and adjust their strategies regularly.

• Daily check-ins on the effectiveness of a plan are recommended, akin to deliberate practice where feedback informs future attempts.

Insights from William James on Habits

• A quote from William James highlights that virtues are as much habits as vices; our nervous systems adapt based on how they are exercised.

• The speaker reflects on the idea that grit and self-control can be cultivated like habits, suggesting stability and momentum can be developed through practice.

Final Thoughts with Humor

• Concluding with another quote from William James, the speaker humorously notes that he considers himself average but believes persistence (like running on a treadmill) is key to success.