Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, which yoked together various strains of behaviorist teaching and presented them as far more important to student success than intelligence or native ability.13 The narrative is seductive. On the surface it is egalitarian: not all of us are born with the same ability, but anyone can learn the sorts of character traits that translate to success. It also fits in with our long-standing cultural favoring of “hard work” and “stick-to-itiveness.” The hype cycle kicks in.
