Angela Duckworth's "Situated" Challenges Willpower, Advocates Environmental Change

Angela Duckworth, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, has published a new book titled "Situated," which argues that willpower is ineffective for achieving goals and that success depends on altering one's environment. The book, released in 2026, presents the "three-box model" developed with Stanford psychologist James Gross, comprising situation, thoughts, and response. Duckworth contends that changing one's situation—such as moving to a new city or adjusting living arrangements—is more effective than trying to exert self-control. She cites examples of high achievers like Taylor Swift and Olympic swimmer Léon Marchand, who relocated as teenagers to pursue their ambitions. Duckworth also shares personal anecdotes, including a marital crisis two decades ago that she and her husband resolved by seeking external help and modifying their lifestyle. The book follows her previous best-seller "Grit," which emphasized perseverance and passion. While "Situated" expands on her earlier research, critics may view it as a reversal, given its dismissal of willpower. Duckworth acknowledges that grit is "necessary but not sufficient" and now focuses on situational agency. The book has sparked discussions about the role of environment in personal success and the limitations of self-control.