Resilience: A Cognitive and Psychosocial Phenomenon

Resilient individuals may be identified as those who are firmly grounded in today, who have benefited from yesterday, and who have the capacity of seeing themselves in tomorrow. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying dynamics that allow these people to be resilient. The nature-nurture concept contributes to an individual’s resilience. Via neuroscience research it is becoming abundantly clear that nature is the stronger factor. The contribution of nurture, however, must also be considered. What does nurture contribute to the individual and/or the environment? Does proper caretaking of the individual and the environment increase resilience, or does resilience merely depend upon the neuroscience of genetics? This article will explore the multifaceted concept of resilience.