XII-2: The Psychology of Success
Warm-up Activity
The idea that success is based purely on innate talent is being challenged by modern psychology. One key concept is “grit”. Read the short text below, then complete the vocabulary exercise.
The psychology of achievement has increasingly focused on the concept of grit, defined as the tendency to apply passion and perseverance to long-term goals. It’s a measure of stamina, not just intensity. Individuals with grit demonstrate remarkable resilience; they can bounce back from setbacks and failures. This contrasts with a “fixed mindset,” the belief that abilities are unchangeable. Instead, gritty individuals often have a “growth mindset,” believing that skills can be developed through hard work and deliberate practice—focused, strategic effort. They understand that success is rarely about raw, innate talent alone.
Strategy Focus: The T-Chart Method for Integrated Writing
The Integrated Writing task is always the same:
- Read a passage about an academic topic (3 minutes).
- Listen to a lecture that disagrees with or casts doubt on the reading (approx. 2 minutes).
- Write an essay summarizing the lecture and explaining how it challenges the reading (20 minutes).
Your opinion is not required. Your job is to be a reporter. The best way to organize the information is with the T-Chart Method.
Step 1: Note-Taking (Reading + Listening)
As soon as the task begins, take out your note paper and draw a large ‘T’. Label the left side “Reading” and the right side “Lecture”.
During the Reading (3 mins): Your goal is to find the main stance of the passage and its 3 supporting points. Write these in the left column.
- R1: First main point
- R2: Second main point
- R3: Third main point
During the Listening (2 mins): The lecturer will challenge each of the reading’s points. Your goal is to listen for the counterarguments and write them in the right column, directly across from the point they attack.
- L1: Refutes R1
- L2: Refutes R2
- L3: Refutes R3
Your final notes should look like this:
| Reading (R) | Lecture (L) |
| R1: Main Point 1 | L1: Counterargument 1 |
| R2: Main Point 2 | L2: Counterargument 2 |
| R3: Main Point 3 | L3: Counterargument 3 |
Paragraph 1 (Introduction): State the topic and that the lecture challenges the claims made in the reading.
- Sentence 1: Introduce the topic and state the reading’s position.
- Sentence 2: State that the lecturer disagrees and casts doubt on the reading’s points.
Paragraph 2 (Body 1): Focus on the first point (R1 vs. L1).
- Sentence 1: Explain the first point from the reading.
- Sentence 2: Explain how the lecturer challenges this specific point. Provide details from the lecture.
Paragraph 3 (Body 2): Focus on the second point (R2 vs. L2).
- Repeat the structure from Paragraph 2.
Paragraph 4 (Body 3): Focus on the third point (R3 vs. L3).
Repeat the structure from Paragraph 2.
Skill Practice
You will now practice the note-taking part of the strategy. You will read a short passage and listen to a short lecture. Your task is not to write an essay, but to create a T-Chart based on the information.
1. Read the passage. You have 2 minutes.
Reading Passage: The Primacy of IQ
For decades, psychologists have sought to identify the key predictor of life success. Overwhelmingly, the evidence points to the intelligence quotient, or IQ. First, high IQ scores are strongly correlated with academic achievement. Students with higher IQs tend to find schoolwork easier, get better grades, and attend more prestigious universities. Second, IQ is a powerful predictor of career success and income level. Many complex, high-paying jobs require the abstract reasoning skills measured by IQ tests. Finally, IQ is a stable, reliable measure. A person’s score at age 18 is an excellent predictor of their score at age 50, suggesting it reflects a consistent, underlying cognitive ability.
2. Now, listen to the lecture.
3. Submit your T-Chart. You have 10 minutes to organize and type your notes into the text box below.