Self-Control Outdoes Intelligence? (Psychology, Motivation, Self-discipline)

A few years ago, many researchers were in agreement: By far the most important requirement for education and vocational success is a high mental capacity (intelligence). However, even the best intelligence tests can not explain all variance in life success. Every once in a while a highly intelligent student gets dropped out of the education system without finishing (underachiever), whereas another student who scored below average in an intelligence test, ends up with a fantastic academic career (overachiever). Recent studies (e.g. Duckworth & Seligman, 2005; Moffitt et al 2011) suggest that such "irregularities" mainly come about due to the factor of self-control (also: self-discipline, perseverance). Amazingly, in some studies self-discipline proved to be a better predictor than intelligence...

Keywords:
self-control - self-discipline - grit - perseverance - psychology - intelligence - underachiever - overachiever - predictor - grade point average - delay of gratification - marshmallow experiment - Duckworth - Seligman - Moffitt - New Zealand - physical health - income - risk behaviour - single parent child rearing - financial struggles - Poropat - Big Five - agreeableness - extraversion - neuroticism - Openness - conscientousness - academic performance - motivation - brain - educational psychology