Character Development Growth Mindset
By: K. Meier
Everyone has experienced the child who shows you that A+ paper and you respond with “Great job! You’re so smart!” Young people look for praise from the adults in their lives whether it is a parent, teacher, coach, or other supportive adult, however this type of intelligence praising may actually be detrimental to their motivation and resiliency.
Dr. Carol Dweck has spent the last 30 years researching the idea of fixed vs. growth mindsets of young persons, especially during the tough middle school years. This is a summary of her findings.
What are fixed and growth mindsets?
Those who continue to excel in the classroom, in spite of setbacks, are those who believe their abilities can be developed through learning and effort. They believe everyone can change and grow by putting forth effort to enhance basic qualities. Those students who believe they have an innate or fixed intelligence fair worse in the classroom. They typically have less motivation, resiliency, and lower grades. They believe everyone has a certain amount of intelligence, and this cannot be changed or enhanced no matter what.
Bottom line: It matters how students view their intelligence.
Dr. Carol Dweck has spent the last 30 years researching the idea of fixed vs. growth mindsets of young persons, especially during the tough middle school years. This is a summary of her findings.
What are fixed and growth mindsets?
Those who continue to excel in the classroom, in spite of setbacks, are those who believe their abilities can be developed through learning and effort. They believe everyone can change and grow by putting forth effort to enhance basic qualities. Those students who believe they have an innate or fixed intelligence fair worse in the classroom. They typically have less motivation, resiliency, and lower grades. They believe everyone has a certain amount of intelligence, and this cannot be changed or enhanced no matter what.
Bottom line: It matters how students view their intelligence.
Mindset Rules
Fixed Mindset
Cardinal Rule: Look smart at all costs- they don’t want to be in situations where they could potentially look dumb.
Don’t make mistakes- one poor grade means they aren’t good at that subject and never will be. Don’t work hard- having to work hard means they are not intelligent. If you make mistakes, don’t try to repair them- mistakes mean they don’t have the ability and that inability is permanent. High effort = low ability is one of the worst beliefs a student can have |
Growth Mindset
Cardinal Rule: Learn!
Take on challenges- they want tasks that stretch their abilities and teach new things. Work hard- they believe effort increases ability. Confront your deficiencies and correct them- they study harder and try new strategies. |
Typical Mindset Thinking
How to Promote Growth Mindset
Want to Learn More?
- Teach youth that the brain has plasticity. When confronted with new, harder material the brain creates new connections between neurons. It’s up to the young person to create those new connections by learning new material and essentially expanding and strengthening their intelligence.
- Don’t praise intelligence. This creates a fixed mindset. Youth become worried about hard tasks and don’t gain resilience. Instead, praise the persistence and effort put into a task. This helps create a growth mindset.
Want to Learn More?
Online Videos
Exploring a Growth Mindset
Professor Carol Dweck explains her recent research on the growth mindset and reducing aggression. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hC1DwZS8tI&noredirect=1 True Grit, Can You Teach Children Character? Presented by NBC News’ Education Nation, this interactive presentation and panel discussion shares the recent research on mindset by Carol Dweck and grit by Angela Lee Duckworth. http://www.educationnation.com/index.cfm?objectid=D8F266A4-0693-11E2-BC7C000C296BA163 |
Books
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Written by Carol Dweck, this book gives information on how children can be taught to have a growth mindset through a variety of tools focused on motivation, challenges, and resiliency. How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character Paul Tough argues in this book that the key ingredients for success are found in character, not intelligence and test scores, and provides recent research on how to change how we raise children. |
Resources
Damour, L. (2011). Teaching girls to adopt a growth mindset. Retrieved from http://www.laurelschool.org/about/Research2.cfm
Dweck, C.S. (2007). Boosting achievement with messages that motivate. Education Canada, 47(2), 6-10.
Yeager, D.S. & Dweck, C.S. Dweck (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that personal characteristics can be developed. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 302-314.
Damour, L. (2011). Teaching girls to adopt a growth mindset. Retrieved from http://www.laurelschool.org/about/Research2.cfm
Dweck, C.S. (2007). Boosting achievement with messages that motivate. Education Canada, 47(2), 6-10.
Yeager, D.S. & Dweck, C.S. Dweck (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that personal characteristics can be developed. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 302-314.