Grit

Grit
What is grit, and why is it important?

Grit
• Grit was defined as,
"perseverance and passion for long-term
goals"
– by psychologist Angela Duckworth and
colleagues, who extensively studied grit as a
personality trait.

Grit
• Grit in psychology is a positive, non-
cognitive trait based on an individual's
perseverance of effort combined with the
passion for a particular long-term goal or end
state.

Grit, effort combined with the passion

Grit
• This perseverance of effort promotes the
overcoming of obstacles or challenges that
lie on the path to accomplishment and serves
as a driving force in achievement realization.

Perseverance Of Effort Promotes The Overcoming
Of Obstacles Or Challenges

Grit
• Distinct but commonly associated concepts
within the field of psychology include
"perseverance", "hardiness", "resilience",
"ambition", "need for achievement" and
"conscientiousness".

Grit
• These constructs can be conceptualized as
individual differences related to the
accomplishment of work rather than talent
or ability.

Grit
• This distinction was brought into focus in
1907 when William James challenged the
field to further investigate how certain
individuals are capable of accessing richer
trait reservoirs enabling them to accomplish
more than the average person, but the
construct dates back at least to Francis
Galton, and the ideals of persistence and
tenacity have been understood as a virtue at
least since Aristotle.

Grit
• They observed that individuals high in grit
were able to maintain their determination
and motivation over long periods despite
experiences with failure and adversity.
• They concluded that grit is a better
predictor of success than intellectual talent
(IQ).

Grit is a better predictor of success than
intellectual talent (IQ)

Grit
• Earlier studies of achievement often
emphasized the notion that high-achieving
individuals typically possess traits above and
beyond that of normal ability.
• Duckworth et al. emphasized that grit is a better
predictor of achievement than intellectual talent
(IQ), because grit serves as the overriding factor
that provides the stamina required to "stay the
course" amid challenges and setbacks.

• Basic definition of grit, developed by Angela
Duckworth, the psychologist and researcher
who coined the term: Grit is passion and
perseverance for long term and meaningful
goals.

Grit is passion and perseverance for
long-term and meaningful goals
• It is the ability to persist in something you feel
passionate about and persevere when you face
obstacles.
• This kind of passion is not about intense emotions or
infatuation. It’s about having direction and
commitment. When you have this kind of passion, you
can stay committed to a task that may be difficult or
boring.
• Grit is also about perseverance.
• To persevere means to stick with it; to continue
working hard even after experiencing difficulty or
failure.

Grit is passion and perseverance for
long-term and meaningful goals

Why is grit important?
• Grit is important because it is a driver of
achievement and success, independent of and
beyond what talent and intelligence contribute.
• Being naturally smart and talented are great, but
to truly do well and thrive, we need the ability to
persevere.
• Without grit, talent may be nothing more than
unmet potential. It is only with effort that talent
becomes a skill that leads to success .

Grit And Positive Psychology
• Grit also ties in with positive psychology
and in particular, with perseverance.
• As mentioned earlier, the ability to stick with
and pursue a goal over a long period is an
important aspect of grit.
• This area of positive psychology has been
interested in the process of perseverance as
a positive indicator of long term success.

Grit And Intelligence
• One of the best predictors of future
achievement has been intelligence.
• This relationship has been found in scholastic
achievement as well as in job performance.
• As such, one might expect that grit would
be strongly correlated with intelligence.

Grit And Intelligence
• Somewhat surprisingly, in four separate samples, grit
was found to be inversely correlated with
intelligence.
• This means that grit, unlike many traditional
measures of performance, is not tied to
intelligence.
• The researchers suggested that this helps explain
why some very intelligent individuals do not
consistently perform well over long periods.

Grit And Personality Measures
• The grit measure has been compared to the Big
Five personality traits, which are a group of
broad personality dimensions consisting of
openness to experience, conscientiousness,
extraversion, agreeableness, and
neuroticism.

Comparison With Related Psychological
Constructs
• Traditional constructs in this area include
perseverance, hardiness, resilience,
ambition, self-control, and need for
achievement.
• Grit has been argued to be distinguishable
from each of these in the following ways

Constructs
• Perseverance is the steadfast pursuit of a task,
mission, or journey in spite of obstacles,
discouragement, or distraction. In contrast, grit
is argued to be a trait of perseverance.
• Grit enables an individual to persevere in
accomplishing a goal despite obstacles over an
extended period.
• When compared with the construct of
persistence, grit adds a component of passion for
the goal

Constructs
• Hardiness is defined as a combination of attitudes that
provide the courage and motivation to do the hard,
strategic work of turning stressful circumstances from
potential disasters into growth opportunities.
• While grit is primarily a measure of an individual's
ability to persist in obtaining a specific goal over an
extended time period, hardiness refers to an individual's
ability to persist through difficult circumstances and does
not address the individual's long term persistence toward
a specific goal.

Constructs
• Resilience is a dynamic process in which an
individual overcomes significant adversity, usually
in the form of a life changing event or difficult
personal circumstances. Resilience can be
conceptualized as an adaptive response to a challenging
situation.
• Grit involves maintaining goal focused effort for
extended periods of time, often while facing
adversity but does not require a critical incident.
Importantly, grit is conceptualized as a trait while
resilience is a dynamic process. Finally, resilience has
been almost exclusively studied in children who are
born into "at-risk" situations

Constructs
• Ambition is broadly defined as the desire for
attainment, power, or superiority.
• In contrast to ambition, grit is not associated with
seeking fame or external recognition for
achievements. Ambition is often associated with a
desire for fame.
• Unlike ambitious individuals, gritty
individuals do not seek to distinguish
themselves from other people, but to obtain
personal goals.

How To Measure Grit ?
• Grit Scale
• The Grit Scale is a set of measures designed
to measure trait-level perseverance and
passion for long-term goals
• https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale/

Grit in Education
• Developing Grit In Our Students
• Why do most individuals make use of only a
small percentage of their resources, whereas a
few exceptional individuals push themselves to
their limits?
• Why do some individuals accomplish more
than others of equal intelligence?
• One personal quality that is shared by most
high achieving and successful people is grit.

Developing Grit In Our Students

Grit in Education
• There has been a lot of talk recently about grit
and how to develop it within our students.
• Grit is the quality that enables individuals to
work hard and stick to their long-term passions
and goals. It makes sense that this would be
important for students, both in school and in
life.
• Can one learn to have grit?
• How do you teach it?

Grit in Education
• According to leading researcher, Angela Duckworth, grit
can probably be taught.
• "Kids may have the wrong beliefs and have
misunderstandings about skill development...beliefs that
stand in the way of tapping into performance traits."
• When students struggle with a task, they may believe that
they lack the ability to solve the problem and, therefore,
give up.
• It is important for students to understand that it is ok to
feel confused when learning something new, and
actually, it is expected. We can teach students that
making mistakes or taking a long time to complete an
assignment is a normal part of learning, nota sign of
failure.

According to leading researcher, Angela Duckworth,
grit can probably be taught

Definition of Grit
• According to researchers at the University of
Pennsylvania, grit is defined as "perseverance
and passion for long-term goals.”
• Grit involves working strenuously toward
challenges, maintaining effort and interest over
years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in
progress.

Definition of Grit
• The gritty individual approaches
achievement as a marathon; his or her
advantage is stamina. While disappoint mentor
boredom may lead most people to change
trajectory, the gritty individual stays the
course"
(Duckworth et al,2007).

Grit in Education
• We all can identify people in our lives who
have big ideas and a lot of enthusiasm for
many projects, only to drop them within a few
weeks.
• Individuals with a lot of grit tend to set very
long-term objectives and do not lose sight of
them, even when they are not getting any
positive feed-back.

Individuals with a lot of grit tend to set very
long-term objectives and do not lose sight of
them

Research Supporting the Importance of Grit
• So why should we pay so much attention to
grit?
• Duckworth and Seligman (2005, 2007) have
demonstrated that grit, perseverance and self-
discipline are better predictors of success in
college than the SAT or IQ tests.
• These standardized tests serve an important
function, but are limited in their ability to
measure important traits such as grit and self-
control.

• Angela Duckworth and Deborah Perkins-Gough
conducted a study at West Point Military Academy
in order to look at how well grit would predict who
would stay fort he entire program.
• Although West Point has a rigorous admissions process,
about 1 in 20 cadets drop out be-fore the first academic
year begins.
• As part of the study, the cadets each took a short
grit questionnaire when they first arrived.
• This score was actually abetter predictor of who would
stay than any other measure West Point looked at.

Grit Versus Talent
• At one time or another, we all have been
impressed by an athlete, a student or a
musician whom we would label as
"talented." Talent, however, is only part of
the picture.

Grit Versus Talent
• In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell
talks about the 10,000 hours of practice
required to excel at a particular skill.
• "I believe ability can get you to the top, "says
coach John Woodin, "but it takes character to
keep you there.

In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell talks about the
10,000 hours of practice required to excel at a particular skill

10000 Hour Rule: Malcolm Gladwell

Grit Versus Talent
• It's so easy to begin thinking you can just turn
it on automatically, without proper
preparation. It takes real character to keep
working as hard, or even harder once you are
there.
• When you read about an athlete or a team that
wins over and over and over, remind yourself that
more than ability, they have character"
(Carol Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology
of Success).

Carol Dweck,
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

Grit Versus Talent
• In terms of academics, if students are just trying to
reach the threshold of getting an A, and they also hap-
pen to be very talented, they may do their homework or
study for a test in just a few minutes. Once they reach
a certain level of proficiency, then they stop.
• They actually work less hard than their peers for
whom the work is challenging. If, on the other hand,
they are not just trying to reach a certain cut point,
but are trying to learn as much as possible by doing
as well as they can, then there is no limit to what can
be accomplished.

Grit Versus Talent
• According to Galton (1892) who collected
biographical information about highly successful
people,
"ability alone did not bring about success in any
field. Rather, successful high achievers also
possessed zeal and the capacity for hard labor”

Grit Versus Talent
• According to Carol Dweck in Mindset:
• The New Psychology of Success, "After seven
experiments with hundreds of children, we had some of
the clearest findings I've ever seen. Praising children's
intelligence harms their motivation and it harms
their performance.
• Children love praise, and especially for their
intelligence and talent. It really does give them a boost,
a special glow - but only for that moment. The minute
they hit a snag, their confidence goes out the window
and their motivation hits rock bottom. If success
means they are smart, then failure means they are
dumb. That's the fixed mindset."

Grit Versus Talent
• Children who have more of a growth
mindset tend to be grittier.
• The attitude that "I can get better if I try
harder, "most likely results in the development
of a tenacious, hardworking person. "In
theory, the work that Carol Dweck has done
to show that you can change your mindset
would also be relevant to changing your
grit."

Grit Versus Talent
• Duckworth and her colleagues at University of
Pennsylvania are developing an intervention,
based on Dweck's work, to look at making
students aware of the value of deliberate
practice.
• The intervention requires teachers to tell kids that
practice is not easy, that they are going to be
confused, frustrated.
• Teachers explain that when you are learning, you
have to make mistakes and do things over and
over again which can be boring.

Grit Versus Talent
• Tim Elmore recently wrote a blog about
building perseverance in students based on the
findings that students in Singapore are far more
persistent in problem solving than American
students.
• He explains that although we live in a world of
speed and convenience, this speed has
diminished perseverance and work ethic in our
kids.
• He recommends the following strategies to
encourage per-severance in students:

Tim Elmore, wrote a blog about building
perseverance in students

Grit Versus Talent
• Talk about the power of attitude and
persistence.
• Singapore teachers repeatedly talk to their
students from a young age about attitude and
persistence. They underscore how valuable this
trait is for success in life.

Grit Versus Talent
• Turn the problem into a picture or puzzle.
• Singapore teaching methods include "model
drawing."
• Students turn math problems into a picture and
the graphic helps them solve the problem by
engaging both sides of the brain

Turn the problem into a picture or
puzzle

Grit Versus Talent
• Start with smaller problems they can more
easily solve and help them get some quick
wins.
• Share the "why" before the "what."
We often fail to inspire kids because we don't
share the relevance of the problem.

We often fail to inspire kids because we don't
share the relevance of the problem

Grit Versus Talent
• When possible, place students in
communities to work together.
• Students learn best in communities where they
can solve problems in cooperation with peers.
They often give up when they feel alone and
inferior.
• Make it a game or competition.

When possible, place students in communities
to work together

Grit Versus Talent
• Reward hard work and delayed
gratification.
• What gets rewarded gets repeated. Affirm hard
work and actually reward completion in the
end.

Action Steps for Teachers and Schools
• In order to build character and grit in
students, it is essential to also develop a
school culture that emphasizes character and
grit.

Conclusion
• Though there are many interventions and
strategies that can be implemented in order
to develop grit, it is the quality of interactions
and interventions - not the strategies
themselves - that matter most.
• "Human change occurs more readily in the
context of caring and trusting relationships"

Human change occurs more readily in the context of
caring and trusting relationships

Conclusion
• We must remember the importance of
providing social emotional support to our
students.

Conclusion
• Schools should devote more - not less –
intentional effort to developing grit in
students.
• Teaching grit means helping students
understand how to set and achieve their goals.
When we teach students how to regulate their
attention, emotions and behavior, we empower
them to pursue goals that are most
important to them.

Schools should devote more - not less – intentional
effort to developing grit in students

Famous People Who Became Successful
Through Perseverance And Grit
• Henry Ford
• His name is synonymous with one of the most
famous American automobile companies. Henry
Ford invented the assembly line and forever changed
production in industries. He is well known for his
success.
• However, before his motor company took off, Henry
had tried out other types of businesses and failed
miserably. As a matter of fact, he had gone
bankrupt a total of 5 times before finally making it
with the Ford Motor Company.

Albert Einstein
• No other name in human history has been associated
with intellectual achievement like Albert Einstein's.
Widely regarded as the father of physics, Albert is a
scientific celebrity all over the world. In his early days,
nobody thought he would grow into a genius. Albert did
not talk until he was 4 years old. He also could not read
until he was 7.
• His parents and teachers thought he was mentally
handicapped. He was once expelled from school for the
same reason and also denied entry into the Zurich
Polytechnic School.
• Through enterprise and interest in science, he found a
place in the educational institutions and rose to become
the scientist we know today.

Steven Spielberg
• He is a legendary Hollywood director whose
movies gross millions at the box office.
Interestingly, Steven was rejected from the
Southern California School of Theater, Film and
Television a total of three times. He did not give
up.
• He went on to enroll at California State
University in Long Beach. After some time, he
dropped out and decided to teach himself how
to direct. Today, we enjoy breathtaking
cinematic pieces directed by him.

Stephen King
• If you faced rejection multiple times, would you give
up? Stephen did.
• His first novel was rejected by the publishers 30 times
and in frustration, he threw it in the bin. His wife
Tabitha picked it up and encouraged Stephen to finish
it.
• He agreed and the first novel known as 'Carrie'
came into existence. It was received with widespread
acclaim. Mr. King continued to write thrillers and
mystery novels that have captured the imaginations
of readers across the globe. They have also been
made into classic motion pictures.

Elvis Presley
• The King of Rock faced significant challenges and
frustration before he became successful.
• In 1954, Elvis performed at the Grand Ole Opry. After a
cold reception, manager Jimmy Denny threw him out
of the venue.
• He even added that Elvis should simply go back to
driving trucks for a living. Down but not out,
Elvis kept trying until he signed with a major record
label. He went on to release timeless classics such as
'Bridge Over Troubled Water' and became a rock and
roll icon.

Jim Carrey
• He is a widely known comedian who has cracked us up
with his roles in movies such as 'Ace Ventura', 'The
Mask', and 'Bruce Almighty'. Before he was famous,
Jim and his family were struggling.
• He dropped out of school at the age of 15 so that he
could support his family. He suffered a lot but never
gave up on his dream of being a comedian. He
attended comedy clubs in Toronto with his father
and eventually got picked for a show. He made it in
Hollywood and became one of the most iconic
comedians.

J.K. Rowling
• The is the author behind the Harry Potter book series
and the Hogwarts Universe. Her books have been bought
all over the world. They have also been adapted into
blockbuster movies.
• Despite her roaring success, J.K. Rowling was once so
poor that she had to depend on welfare.
• She was divorced, depressed and taking care of one child.
When she took the first manuscript of 'Harry Potter and
the Philosopher's Stone', it was rejected a total of 12
times by Bloomsbury London publishers.
• Eventually, the book was published and it opened the gates
of fortune for the author. Today, she is one of the richest
women in the world.

Terminology
• Patience
• Patience (or forbearance) is the ability to
endure difficult circumstances such as
perseverance in the face of delay; tolerance of
provocation without responding in
annoyance/anger; or forbearance when under
strain, especially when faced with longer-term
difficulties.

Prudence
• Prudence is the ability to govern and
discipline oneself by the use of reason.
• It is classically considered to be a virtue.

Sisu
• Sisu is a Finnish concept described as stoic
determination, tenacity of purpose, grit,
bravery, resilience, and hardiness and is
held by Finns themselves to express their
national character.

Temperance (virtue)
• Temperance is defined as moderation or
voluntary self-restraint. It is typically described in
terms of what an individual voluntarily refrains
from doing.
• This includes restraint from retaliation in the
form of non-violence and forgiveness, restraint
from arrogance in the form of humility and
modesty, restraint from excesses such as
extravagant luxury or splurging now in the
form of prudence, and restraint from excessive
anger or craving for something in the form of
calmness and self-control.

Tenacity
• Tenacity is the quality displayed by someone
who just won't quit who keeps trying until they
reach their goal.

References
Angela Duckworth
• https://angeladuckworth.com/
Developing Grit In Our Students
• https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1081394.pdf
Grit (personality trait)
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grit_(personality_trait)
Grit: A Complete Guide on Being Mentally Tough
• https://jamesclear.com/grit
Is “Grit” Really the Key to Success?
• http://www.slate.com/articles/
The Limits of “Grit”
• https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-limits-of-grit
5 Characteristics Of Grit -- How Many Do You Have?
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/margaretperlis/2013/10/29/5-characteristics-of-grit-
what-it-is-why-you-need-it-and-do-you-have-it/#2857001c4f7b

Grit

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