Homo invictus: The indomitable species

Many human lives are marked by periods of danger, deprivation, and challenge; Psychology and related disciplines have traditionally emphasized the destructive consequences of such events. More recently, a beginning has been made toward balancing this one-sided perspective with growing interest in coping and salutogenic (health-enhancing) reactions to adversity. This paper reviews evidence from laboratory experiments on restricted stimulation, field studies in polar stations, archival analyses of decision-making under stress, and interviews with Holocaust survivors, which attests to the fortitude and resilience of human beings in the face of severe environmental demands. Psychologists should address the many remaining questions - theoretical, scientific, and practical - concerning such positive reactions to even extreme stressors.