Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Social Threat-Safety Test Uncovers Psychosocial Stress-Related Phenotypes
Published on: December 15, 2023
Biologically flavored perspectives on Garmezian resilience
Daniel R Hanson1, Irving I Gottesman
1Marshfield Clinic, Riverview Center, 1000 Starr Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA. hanson.daniel@marshfieldclinic.org
Abstract:
Norman Garmezy devoted the better part of four decades developing and promoting the construct of resilience for developmental psychopathology. He proposed resilience as a paradigm to guide the understanding of how people can transcend adversity and go on to live healthy, productive lives. This tribute to Norman starts with a look at the early context for his work during his distinguished tenure in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Resilience constructs are then compared from interdisciplinary perspectives across a variety of biological and physical sciences. All of these perspectives lead to similar conclusions: resilience is not a thing but a process. Furthermore, the processes are the product of energy-hungry systems. Finally, these insights are applied to difficult to modify maladaptive behaviors raising the question of a dark side to resilience.
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Unrealistic Optimism Bias
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Psychological Responses to Stress
Physiological Barriers
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...

