Adversity In Psychology

Adversity plays a major role in developing a person’s character. In fact, it holds a place in one’s biological and psychological make-up. Adversity forces one to find alternative solutions to problems faced that would otherwise be unnecessary. It motivates many to rise to the occasion of a challenge. Adversity teaches us to learn from our mistakes, so as not to repeat them.

The Talent of Adversity The great Roman poet Horace once said, “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant.” In other words, until one is faced with hard times, the depths of his/her talents remains unknown. This notion has come to light countless times over the course of history. Coinciding, a vast amount of famous individuals from the past became famous as a result of the aptitudes discovered when hardships arose. Helen Keller, for example, found ways to rise above her disabilities. That found strength helped her to not just survive the harsh
For example, the motivating factors that cause a person to push through adversity, and rise up to a challenge. Over time it has been agreed upon the vast world of psychology that whether intrinsic or extrinsic, the ultimate motivating factor for people to change behavior is the perceived reward. In the case of a person who is unhappy with his/her job, there is a motivation to search for a new one. Accordingly, the reward would be the potential for a better job, to be happier at the job, or perhaps more abundant benefits. These recompenses all benefit the internal state of mind. If this person was let go from their place of employment, they would still be motivated to find a new job, but the reward of receiving pay would be an external reward. When looking at how adversity draws out a person’s talents, it is the motivation to lessen the adversity faced that essentially brings a person to seek alternative