Science & the Big Questions

We’re Teaching Grit the Wrong Way

To get students to choose schoolwork over immediate pleasures, stop focusing on willpower.

The Chronicle of Higher Education

Topics: Compassion David DeSteno Emotion Gratitude Grit Pride Self-Control Willpower

Harnessing the Power of Prosocial Emotions for Our Future Selves

In his new book, David DeSteno explores how certain prosocial emotions, such as gratitude, compassion, and pride, can help us succeed in life when things like rationality and willpower power fall short.

Behavioral Scientist

Topics: Compassion David DeSteno Emotion Gratitude Grit Pride Self-Control Willpower

The Only Way to Keep Your Resolutions

Willpower is for chumps. Here’s what actually works.

Gray Matter, The New York Times

Topics: Compassion David DeSteno Emotion Gratitude Grit Pride Self-Control Willpower

Let’s Dial Down the Hype About Grit — New Paper Finds No Association With Creative Achievement

Researchers have become more critical of the scope and relevance of the concept. Now an article published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts suggests grit gives surprisingly little insight into the world of creative success.

British Psychological Society Research Digest

Topics: Angela Duckworth Creativity Grit

Can Narcissism Fuel Grit?

The combination of narcissistic grandiosity and vulnerability can fuel persistence.

Beautiful Minds, Scientific American

Topics: Grit Narcissism Scott Barry Kaufman

What Makes a Genius?

Some minds are so exceptional they change the world. We don’t know exactly why these people soar above the rest of us, but science offers us clues.

National Geographic

Topics: Andrew Newberg Angela Duckworth Creativity Genius Grit Intelligence Rex Jung Scott Barry Kaufman

Could Solving This One Problem Solve All the Others?

The biggest problem with humanity is humans themselves. Too often, we make choices — what we eat, how we spend our money and time — that undermine our well-being. An all-star team of academic researchers thinks it has the solution: perfecting the science of behavior change. Will it work?

Freakonomics Radio

Topics: Angela Duckworth Grit Katy Milkman

Emotional Intelligence for Success

What underlies success? Self-control, according to psychology professor David DeSteno. But why are we still so bad it?

PopTech

Topics: Compassion David DeSteno Gratitude Grit Pride Self-Control Willpower

Angela Duckworth Responds to a New Critique of Grit

The term expresses the idea that a crucial component of success is people’s ability to pick a goal and stick with it. That’s the main thrust of research by Angela Duckworth at the University of Pennsylvania, which has earned her a MacArthur “genius” grant.

All Things Considered, NPR

Topics: Angela Duckworth Grit