A recent study from University of Western Ontario researcher Tony Vernon could shed some light on the mental toughness required of students during stressful year-end exam time.
Looking at the individual differences in people’s overall mental toughness, as well as in four of its components – control over life, commitment, confidence and the ability to face new challenges – the study determined 52 per cent of these factors comes down to genetics, and is also related to how extroverted you are.
So does this mean the success or failure of a student in a course is mostly determined by genetics? Not so fast.
While the 52 per cent of that edge is inherited, Vernon says 48 per cent of the difference between people comes from environmental factors.
“If there was only one gene for mental toughness then, indeed, you would either have it or you wouldn’t,” says the psychology professor. “However, it appears that most complex behavioral traits – including personality traits – are influenced by multiple genes.
“Mental toughness is only one of many factors that may contribute to a student’s success in preparing for and performing on an exam. There are lots of other factors which are probably a lot more important. Thus, someone who is not as mentally tough as someone else will not necessarily do any worse on an exam.”
Vernon’s study also found the more extroverted a person was, the more mentally resilient they were. In contrast, those who tended to be neurotic or anxious were less likely to be mentally tough.
“I think someone who is high in confidence and ability to face new challenges may be better able to cope with the stress of an upcoming exam, but mental toughness is not the be-all and end-all of factors that contribute to how well someone is going to do on an exam – or any other endeavour for that matter.”
Vernon adds a student’s environment makes a very substantial contribution to overall success, so there are many ways of coping and adjusting to pressure including study groups or talking with professors.
But while research can delve into the underlying actions of the human psyche, Vernon offers up a simpler solution for students over the next three weeks.
“Hit the books, and eat and sleep well the night before an exam.”