Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Persistence, Dianne Tice, Harry Wallace, Andrew Harter

Harry M. Wallace

Rockefeller’s story exemplifies persistence, an important human strength. He refused to quit when faced with disappointment and discouragement. He believed in himself when others did not, and his determination and positive mind-set allowed him to accomplish great things. Of course, perseverance does not guarantee success, but success is often unattainable without it. To achieve meaningful accomplishments, one must withstand setbacks. There are times when quitting is more prudent than persisting, but more often, it is the person who perseveres who is rewarded. In this chapter, we review psychological research on the predictors and consequences of human persistence.