Todorov, AlexanderGirgus, JoanOrozco, Beatriz2014-07-032026-09-302014-07-032026-09-302014-042014-07-03http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01kk91fk710https://theses-dissertations.princeton.edu/handle/88435/dsp01kk91fk710In recent years the personality characteristic grit, defined by Duckworth et al., 2007 as “perseverance and the passion for long term goals,” has been shown to have a significant positive impact on many kinds of achievement. The present study used a sample of students at Princeton University (N = 178) to examine the connections between grit, achievement, and socioeconomic status in a population of high achievers. The results confirmed those of Duckworth et al., and also partially confirmed my hypothesis, that low-SES students would have higher grit than high- SES students. Specifically, mother’s educational attainment was a highly significant negative predictor of grit. It was also discovered that optimism and attributional style are positively predictive of grit.67 pagesen-USPrinceton University Senior Theses