Grit was first examined and discovered by Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, and Kelly in 2007. The four define grit as a “newly” discovered personality trait/characteristic that is based upon ones interest/passion and perseverance towards a long term goal (Duckworth et al., 2007). Since that discovery, grit has been studied by many different researchers with hopes in finding relationships with other characteristics and personality traits, whether it be positive or negative correlations (Tomasulo 2014). In order to express the characteristic of grit, one must work vigorously over time to overcome challenges and obtain their goal(s). In some cases, it could take from months up to years of demanding work to approach ones goal(s). The longer that one works displays the amount of patience and perseverance they have working through the difficulty and boredom of the challenges they face (Duckworth et al., 2007). Those who do not have the characteristic of grit, or who shows weak signs of it, allow the difficulty and boredom to get to them, and therefore sets them back in the long run. After long fragments of observing and developmental research, Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, and Kelly developed a questionnaire that was self-report. They called this questionnaire the Grit Scale. As a result of their research, Duckworth and her colleagues discovered that grit was associated with the “Big Five Conscientiousness” and the capability to accomplish extreme achievements and personal goals throughout one’s life (Duckworth et al., 2007). Other results from the study show that grit is able to predetermine successful outcomes and results in diverse situations better than standardized testing could. These standardized tests included of IQ tests and any other test that measures one’s scholastic abilities and academic retainment. Duckworth and her fellow partners also found that self-control is better at concluding these results rather than such standardized tests (Tomasulo 2014). It is important to study grit in the field of psychology because it is a fairly new topic in psychology, and it is possible that many people do not know much of what it is.
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Since it is fairly new, there can be advanced studies on its importance and even how it can relate to other positive characteristics and personality traits besides the “Big Five”. In fact, although it is an unexplored area, there is reason to believe that grit is related to the positive characteristic of empathy. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand the emotions that other people may be feeling and react to that other person’s emotions (“Why resilience, empathy,” 2014). The character trait, empathy, allows us to view the different perspectives of others. We are able to see from their point of view and learn new ways (Davis, 1983). Empathy is needed to be controlled in order to keep grit consistent throughout one’s traits. It is highly important to monitor your reactions and responses to others emotions after seeing their point of view. A gritty person does not allow themselves to react negatively once knowing a person’s feelings; they regulate how they will proceed. This allows them to maintain their level of grit (Zakrzewski 2014). Empathy is important in order to develop grit. If a gritty person who experiences empathy reacts positively towards the emotions and perspectives of others, they are practicing on advancing the way they approach situations and
Since it is fairly new, there can be advanced studies on its importance and even how it can relate to other positive characteristics and personality traits besides the “Big Five”. In fact, although it is an unexplored area, there is reason to believe that grit is related to the positive characteristic of empathy. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand the emotions that other people may be feeling and react to that other person’s emotions (“Why resilience, empathy,” 2014). The character trait, empathy, allows us to view the different perspectives of others. We are able to see from their point of view and learn new ways (Davis, 1983). Empathy is needed to be controlled in order to keep grit consistent throughout one’s traits. It is highly important to monitor your reactions and responses to others emotions after seeing their point of view. A gritty person does not allow themselves to react negatively once knowing a person’s feelings; they regulate how they will proceed. This allows them to maintain their level of grit (Zakrzewski 2014). Empathy is important in order to develop grit. If a gritty person who experiences empathy reacts positively towards the emotions and perspectives of others, they are practicing on advancing the way they approach situations and