Psychol Sci December 2005 PMID 16313657

Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents.

Angela L Duckworth, Martin E P Seligman

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Mentions

114
Peak: 3 in Jul 2019
across 7 sources since Mar 2019

Extended reach

199,864
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1,746

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Mar 2019 – Aug 2025

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Responses consistently reinforce the importance of self-discipline over IQ in academic outcomes, with examples including references to studies, related books, and discussions about motivation and executive functions, indicating both high engagement and perceived relevance of the research for understanding student success.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly support the idea that self-discipline is more important than IQ for academic success, citing the Duckworth & Seligman study as key evidence.

InterestHigh interest

The majority of posts show high interest by referencing multiple sources, emphasizing the significance of self-discipline in education.

EngagementHigh engagement

Discussions reflect deep engagement through references to related works, implications of the findings, and debates on concepts like motivation and intelligence.

ImpactHigh impact

Many posts highlight the strong implications of these findings for educational practices and student performance, suggesting a significant societal impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Self-discipline is a stronger predictor than IQ for academic success in adolescents, influencing final grades, attendance, test scores, and high school placement.
  • The study found that measures of self-discipline, including self-reports and behavioral tasks, explained more than twice the variance in academic outcomes compared to IQ.
  • Even after controlling for prior grades, test scores, and IQ, self-discipline remained a significant factor, indicating that self-control plays a crucial role in academic achievement.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Héctor Ruiz Martín
@hruizmartin · X

Duckworth, A. L., y Seligman, M. E. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. Psychological Science, 16(12), 939-944.

Dec 14, 2019 · 36 likes · 1 share · 56,911 followers View post →
Wouter Duyck
@wduyck · X

@martindogger @PatrickWoudstra institutioneel (https://t.co/q8rw7dAU6j), op individueel niveau: conscientiousness (https://t.co/XoUq7fSIwI) en zelfdiscipline (https://t.co/anX1DKXa2j), ouders (https://t.co/imS4vJr1eh) of voor PIRLS https://t.co/EOC7xDXRqs https://t.co/lAQ7eIjEgw

Sep 17, 2024 · 11 likes · 1 share · 24,410 followers View post →
Mykolas Kavaliauskas
@Mykolas_K · X

"Self-discipline has a bigger effect on academic performance than does intellectual talent." "These findings suggest a major reason for students falling short of their intellectual potential: their failure to exercise self-discipline." https://t.co/IIQft8EAVI

Jan 9, 2020 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 379 followers View post →
Kucing Masjid Raya
@KucingMasjidRY · X

#PustakaKucing Self-Discipline Outdoes IQ in Predicting Academic Performance of Adolescents - Angela L. Duckworth, Martin E.P. Seligman, 2005 https://t.co/3nqjDfKGg7

May 10, 2020 · 6 likes · 1 share · 73 followers View post →
Gráinne Hallahan
@heymrshallahan · X

@TeacherToolkit @tes https://t.co/fypioHdiWE This is interesting for predicting academic performance

Jul 7, 2019 · 5 likes · 17,063 followers View post →
LinkedIn Covington
@nerdsnfilthyani · X

@EzeNdiEze8 @Jasonterrysysbm That is true. Look up “Minnesota Transracial Adoption study “ also this one https://t.co/nY67jtcUkm

Oct 12, 2023 · 2 likes · 2,044 followers View post →

All mentions

Tina
@KikaKristina0 · X

@neven_sa IQ i um nisu isto. Ne znam o cemu pricas. Discipline i willpower nemaju veze sa IQ. Mozes imat high IQ i bit lazy fuck. Izvoli https://t.co/NW7N5bsF4H https://t.co/LoMTsOvmPg

Feb 9, 2025 · 3,512 followers View post →
Βλαδίμηρος Βιδοπουλος - Ποσαδιστικος σατανιστής
@Randal_Zombie · X

@Urfurslaag Duckworth, A. L., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. Flynn, J. R. (1987). The mean IQ of Americans: Massive gains 1932 to 1978. Gould, S. J. (1981). The Mismeasure of Man.

Dec 6, 2024 · 706 followers View post →
ronald kemeling
@ronaldkemeling · X

RT @wduyck: @martindogger @PatrickWoudstra institutioneel (https://t.co/q8rw7dAU6j), op individueel niveau: conscientiousness (https://t.co…

Sep 17, 2024 · 1 share · 619 followers View post →
Wouter Duyck
@wduyck · X

@martindogger @PatrickWoudstra institutioneel (https://t.co/q8rw7dAU6j), op individueel niveau: conscientiousness (https://t.co/XoUq7fSIwI) en zelfdiscipline (https://t.co/anX1DKXa2j), ouders (https://t.co/imS4vJr1eh) of voor PIRLS https://t.co/EOC7xDXRqs https://t.co/lAQ7eIjEgw

Sep 17, 2024 · 11 likes · 1 share · 24,410 followers View post →
The Cancellor
@JohnBabylon2 · X

@jalenb79 @cwack_wegion @epic_rohan @iamyesyouareno Duckworth Psychol Sci 2005 PMID: 16313657. Self Discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. IQ and discipline are both positively directly correlated with academic performance. You can find full paper at https://t.co/fkSlbNetYz

May 6, 2024 · 24 followers View post →
90'
@pederbuddy · X

Apr 11, 2024 · 2 likes · 51 followers View post →
armpit girl69
@lbuprofin · X

@_ad100_ @UsingLyft I wouldn’t even call it rare. Motivation and discipline may be more predictive of school performance than IQ. https://t.co/ni5K13fsw0

Jan 12, 2024 · 305 followers View post →
@jennygila
@jennylga1 · X

RT @hruizmartin: Duckworth, A. L., y Seligman, M. E. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents.…

Jan 5, 2024 · 1 share · 81 followers View post →
LinkedIn Covington
@nerdsnfilthyani · X

@ChrisMags80 @Rtonkins74 @datepsych Not to mention IQ doesn’t correlate to academic performance like self discipline and curiosity do https://t.co/xxCDa3cLlP

Nov 6, 2023 · 2,044 followers View post →
LinkedIn Covington
@nerdsnfilthyani · X

@EzeNdiEze8 @Jasonterrysysbm That is true. Look up “Minnesota Transracial Adoption study “ also this one https://t.co/nY67jtcUkm

Oct 12, 2023 · 2 likes · 2,044 followers View post →
LinkedIn Covington
@nerdsnfilthyani · X

@Jasonterrysysbm https://t.co/nY67jtcmuO

Oct 12, 2023 · 2,044 followers View post →
RLee
@dragon_wingz · X

@beheren43738428 @monitoringbias https://t.co/8qzy4rlXsX

Jun 3, 2023 · 483 followers View post →
ash
@AnbrewArtz · X

@Ayanami_Reicist @greentexts_bot https://t.co/Tx990h4dtz https://t.co/BQDLMQ5xGY These are both great works that show that above IQ, self discipline matters most. Someone of 90 IQ (while average is 100, it is considered that 80-120 is still called “average”) could understand uni level physics with enough time.

May 3, 2023 · 119 followers View post →
NotACerealKiller
@NotReallyCereal · X

@HedonistRat @miker2049 @SeanRMoorhead https://t.co/Iv6RrhESEY https://t.co/PNDIn79xDn

Mar 3, 2022 · 43 followers View post →
Mindset Lab
@themindsetlabs · X

Study: Duckworth, A.L. & Seligman, M.E.P. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. Psychological Science, 16, 939-944. Book: Grit: Why passion and resilience are the secrets to success by Angela Duckworth.

Feb 21, 2022 · 1 like · 46 followers View post →
Mindset Lab
@themindsetlabs · X

Study: Duckworth, A.L. & Seligman, M.E.P. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. Psychological Science, 16, 939-944. Book: Grit: Why passion and resilience are the secrets to success by Angela Duckworth.

Feb 21, 2022 · 46 followers View post →
Oğuz Han Ertürk
@oguz_han_erturk · X

@Alex84462241 https://t.co/1Fm9kYIDOt https://t.co/vU3jEBw7En https://t.co/qlteFOmqPR https://t.co/lEEMALZR63 bir bok bilmediğin konularda konuşma. dilin yetmiyorsa da ( sayısal zeka değil ya hani) gir mensa'nın sitesinden oku ya da google'a yaz şuarada vaktimi seninle harcıyorum yazık

May 10, 2021 · 1 like · 1,568 followers View post →
Ely Powers
@ElyziaE · X

@benjaminheddy Duckworth and Seligman: Self-Discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents sparked the interest. Ryan and Deci: SDT and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being reassured me I wanted to go into ed psyc for grad school

Nov 23, 2020 · 1 like · 66 followers View post →
Fortis Est Veritas
@VeritasArdentur · X

RT @febriyantoID: #PustakaKucing Self-Discipline Outdoes IQ in Predicting Academic Performance of Adolescents - Angela L. Duckworth, Martin…

May 10, 2020 · 1 share · 26,104 followers View post →
Kucing Masjid Raya
@KucingMasjidRY · X

#PustakaKucing Self-Discipline Outdoes IQ in Predicting Academic Performance of Adolescents - Angela L. Duckworth, Martin E.P. Seligman, 2005 https://t.co/3nqjDfKGg7

May 10, 2020 · 6 likes · 1 share · 73 followers View post →
Arturo Casado Alda
@ArturoCasadoAld · X

RT @Mykolas_K: "Self-discipline has a bigger effect on academic performance than does intellectual talent." "These findings suggest a majo…

Jan 9, 2020 · 2 shares · 8,579 followers View post →
Andy Renfree
@AndyRenfree · X

RT @Mykolas_K: "Self-discipline has a bigger effect on academic performance than does intellectual talent." "These findings suggest a majo…

Jan 9, 2020 · 2 shares · 1,619 followers View post →
Mykolas Kavaliauskas
@Mykolas_K · X

"Self-discipline has a bigger effect on academic performance than does intellectual talent." "These findings suggest a major reason for students falling short of their intellectual potential: their failure to exercise self-discipline." https://t.co/IIQft8EAVI

Jan 9, 2020 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 379 followers View post →
Héctor Ruiz Martín
@hruizmartin.bsky.social · Bluesky

Duckworth, A. L., y Seligman, M. E. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. Psychological Science, 16(12), 939-944.

Dec 14, 2019 · 1 share View post →
Héctor Ruiz Martín
@hruizmartin · X

Duckworth, A. L., y Seligman, M. E. (2005). Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. Psychological Science, 16(12), 939-944.

Dec 14, 2019 · 36 likes · 1 share · 56,911 followers View post →
Santo Ojala
@SantoOjala · X

RT @marthamerlo: Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents

Jul 25, 2019 · 1 share · 342 followers View post →
Martha Merlo
@marthamerlo · X

Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents

Jul 25, 2019 · 1 share · 815 followers View post →
Gráinne Hallahan
@heymrshallahan · X

@TeacherToolkit @tes https://t.co/fypioHdiWE This is interesting for predicting academic performance

Jul 7, 2019 · 5 likes · 17,063 followers View post →
J-François CAMPS
@JefCamps · X

@ngauvritparis Duckworth et Serignan, 2005 Psychol Sci. 2005 Dec;16(12):939-44. Self-discipline outdoes IQ in predicting academic performance of adolescents. la self-discipline impliquant les fonctions exécutives donc l'inhibition ??

May 19, 2019 · 1 like · 60 followers View post →