Growth Mindset-3

So what is Growth Mindset? 

A mindset, according to Carol Dweck, is a theory that people hold about themselves (the way your MIND is SET).

Believing that you are either “intelligent” or “unintelligent” is a simple example of a mindset. 

People may have made there mind up about their personal or educational lives— I’m not creative” or "I'm not a racist"

Here are some other examples:

  • I am not a math person
  • I am a great musician
  • I'm not a writer
  • I'm no good at english
  • I'm a good designer
  • I don't like to read
  • I'm a lousy drawer
  • I really good at science

A person's mindset can have a profound effect on learning achievement, skill acquisition, personal relationships, professional success, and many other dimensions of life.

Dweck’s  work centers on the distinction between “fixed” and “growth” mindsets. I prefer not to use these black and white ideas- oppositional thinking- one or the other ideas.

There are many times when mindset switches back and forth moment to moment.  Or it might even be that you have two mindsets at the same time!

It helps a great deal however to build on the growth mindset ideas when there is a goal that you want to achieve.  Like Education.

However Carol Dweck uses the two ideas fixed and Growth to show the contrast - but we won't dwell on that.

During moments of practicing  a fixed mindset, we believe that basic qualities, like intelligence and talent are set and can't be changed. They might believe that  talent  is what creates success, - you have it or don't  At a young age, many people are told that they are good at something or not good at something and they believe it. 

Alternatively, when practicing a growth mindset, one might believe that the most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Students who embrace growth mindsets believe qualities like intelligence, creativity, communication skills, courage, etc. can be cultivated through effort and deliberate practice. They focus on the process of learning, and believe effort, mistakes, struggle, and challenge are necessary parts of the process.

Not only are people with this mindset not discouraged by failure, but they don’t actually see themselves as failing in these situations — they see themselves as learning. 

With all of the research done on the brain Links to an external site. and its development- we can now see how different a brain looks when practicing growth mindset. Move on to the next step using the button below to see a discussion of the science

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If you have questions let someone know!