When things start to get tough, do you keep going or do you give up? Determination is a major motivating factor that comes from within. It can play a pivotal role in how you approach personal goals. This personality trait can also be crucial for helping you achieve things that might be difficult or require significant effort, because it keeps you focused on your desired end result.

If you're curious about whether your sense of determination is influenced by your genes, take an AncestryDNA^® + Traits test to see what your genetic make-up suggests.

Genetics and Being a Determined Person

Ancestry^® scientists wanted to learn more about the connection between a determined mindset and genetics. To do so, they asked over 260,000 people, "How would you rate your determination?" Based on the responses and genetic make-up of participants, the AncestryDNA team identified over 480 DNA markers associated with people’s self-reported level of determination.

By using these DNA markers, the scientists calculated a polygenic risk score to predict your likelihood for being determined based on your DNA. At the same time, the team discovered that differences in people’s DNA could only explain about 6% of the variation in their reported levels of determination. In other words, while genetics play a small role in how determined you are, environmental factors are far more influential.

What Else Do Scientists Say About Being a Determined Person?

Like many performance and personality traits, determination is largely influenced by childhood environments. How parents interact with their children during the formative years shapes how likely they are to develop a determined disposition. Teaching self-determination—motivating them to strive toward goals without an extrinsic (or external) reward—involves giving children room to fail. As contradictory as it sounds, part of determination is developing a sense of persistence, which can only be present in the face of challenges or failure.

Conversely, parents who frequently attempt to remove obstacles or prevent their children from feeling disappointment or having other negative feelings can inhibit the development of determination. Failure, in particular, is a major component of learning. If these obstacles are removed by parents, children may not learn how to navigate them.

What Does It Mean to Be a Determined Person?

Determined people have more than a can-do attitude—they have strong mental fortitude characterized by a deep commitment to achieving their goals. However, if you don't have a determined mindset now, it doesn't mean you can't still develop one. This personality trait is a “soft” skill that can be developed over time by forming new habits.

Determination can influence performance and other behaviours. A person determined to run a marathon would probably plan for it months in advance, slowly increasing their weekly mileage in order to be able to complete the race. And someone fixed on going to university may spend extra time studying to ensure they achieve high grades.

Determined people tend to:

• Be resilient, and they don't give up easily. They have the willpower and ability to bounce back from setbacks and continue working toward their goal.
• Set goals, because they understand their importance in helping them to plan and achieve success.
• Show persistence across many areas of their lives, which is a central component of determination.
• Feel driven to succeed for their own benefit, not because of some external reward.
• Be self-confident—to trust and understand their own abilities.
• Be focused and hone in on what they want to do. They can be difficult to distract.

While determination and persistence are similar, there's a slight difference. Determination is what drives you to reach a goal, while persistence is having the willingness to continue chasing that goal, even when it's difficult.

Interesting Insights About Determination

Whether or not your parents emphasised motivation through self-determination in your childhood, you still can develop that soft skill as an adult by focusing on having a positive attitude toward growth and success. Those who strive to achieve success for themselves, rather than for some external reason—like a reward—tend to perform better.

Are you curious about whether you have a more determined disposition or a more adaptable mindset? An AncestryDNA^® + Traits test can shed light on whether you have genetic markers known to be linked to a wide range of performance, personality, and sensory traits, among others. If you've already taken a test, your results are now available with an Ancestry^® membership.

 

References

Dent, Maggie. "Failure’s gifts: self-determination and grit." Goodstart Early Learning. December 8, 2022. https://www.firstfiveyears.org.au/child-development/failures-gifts-selfdetermination-and-grit.

"Determination." APA Dictionary of Psychology. Accessed June 6, 2024. https://dictionary.apa.org/determination.

Guay, Frédéric. "Applying Self-Determination Theory to Education: Regulations Types, Psychological Needs, and Autonomy Supporting Behaviors." Canadian Journal of School Psychology. October 27, 2021. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/08295735211055355.

Perry, Elizabeth. "What is determination? Develop traits you need to succeed." BetterUp. January 3, 2024. https://www.betterup.com/blog/characteristics-of-a-determined-person.