Resilience has gained the attention of researchers who are eager to learn how some individuals adjust better to stressful life events than others. 
The American Psychological Association defines Resilience as, “the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.” Let’s do a deep dive into resilience. *If you are triggered by this content, please contact me for an alternative assignment. 
1. Read Building your Resilience, published by the American Psychological Association
building-resilience.pdf (apaservices.org)Links to an external site.
2. For the second source listen to this Hidden Brain podcast, “What we Gain from Pain,” an episode which explores the concept of post-traumatic growth with psychologist Eranda Jayawickreme.       
hidden brain podcast episode what we gain from pain – Search (bing.com)Links to an external site.
Applying information from the provided materials, respond to the following questions:
1. Based on the materials, are people born with resilience or is it learned? Explain.
2. From the podcast, psychologist Dr. Jayawickreme finds that suffering can have benefits — but not necessarily the ones we expect. What does our current culture tell as about the value of emotional pain, and “post traumatic growth,” What did Jayawickreme actually find? Be specific.  
3. From the podcast, what does Dr. Jayawickreme mean by “primary control” and “secondary control”? Can you think of a time in your life where you applied this or think now that it might be a useful strategy? 
4. Considering both sources, what are three take-aways that you think have application to your own experience?