The Grit Theory tries to predict success in the most likely way, even surpassing the IQ.
Last update: January 28, 2021
Is talent innate or is it acquired? It is one of the questions on which it is based the theory of grit, developed by the American writer Angela Duckworth. This theory aims to encourage personal development through passion and perseverance in order to pursue a goal.
The basic ideas of this philosophy are shown in his book Grit, the power of passion and perseverance. Before publication, many US newspapers and magazines praised the author's ideas. And this is how this phenomenon has spread around the world, awakening a great interest in the principles of Grit (grit) and the psychology of success.
The origins of the theory of grit
In the summer of 2004, Angela Duckworth performed a study of over a thousand young cadets from the West Point Military Academy, in the United States. These young men were about to face their first year at the academy, known as Beast Barracks, due to the toughness of the tests, both physically and academically.
During this seven-week training, the cadets worked for 17 consecutive hours, non-stop. These tests served as a filter to recruit only the most suitable candidates and to exclude hundreds of cadets. Faced with this context, the author wanted to investigate what were the qualities that characterized the new recruits and that would determine their success in the tests.
To find out, Duckworth developed a test that left out the more traditional assessment methods. Through this test, it aimed to measure leadership skills and physical performance, but also perseverance and a willingness to achieve long-term goals. These features have been christened by the author as Grit. Through her measurements of her, Duckworth reached a very precise level of prediction, which she would later use as a point of reference for her future work.
The foundations of the theory of Grit
According to Angela Duckworth, education, intelligence, family background and economic situation are not determining factors for success. Obviously, everything has its influence on the personal and professional path of an individual, but according to the author, character is the determining factor. The famous newspaper The New York Times has simplified the concept with a kind of equation: “Talent + Effort = Skill. Skill + Effort = Success ”.
In other words, one of the principles of Grit theory is that "the effort is worth two", so perseverance will be the determining factor in achieving success in whatever goal you set yourself. Consequently, anyone - regardless of their situation - can learn and develop any quality as long as they try hard enough.
Grit theory tries to predict success in the most likely way, even surpassing the IQ. The theory therefore holds that talent is acquired and not born with it. According to the author, if this were not the case, we would stop fighting to achieve a goal, since we consider it impossible. Consequently, the Grit invites anyone who wants to pursue it to have hope and resilience capacity.
On the other hand, Juan Carlos Cubero, one of the foremost experts in talent development, leadership and coaching for professionals, says that there are four basic ingredients for cultivating determination: interest, practice, purpose and hope.
The reliability of the Grit theory
In addition to showing a positive idea, Angela Duckworth's speeches don't seem to dig very deep. His theory could be assimilated to other popular ideas today, such as "the culture of effort".
His proposals have therefore generated debates in the US public opinion about their adequacy and validity, especially when it comes to applying these principles in school.
Furthermore, Duckworth's theory has on several occasions been defined as classist and racist, as the author has conducted her research on privileged groups, such as those of the Ivy League universities or the aforementioned West Point Academy.
It could therefore be that the writer's ideas present, yes, a particularly interesting theory, but which, after all, can only be applied to certain people who are already starting from a comfortable condition. This would go against the very foundations of the Grit, that success is within everyone's reach.
