Growth Mindset Theory

Growth Mindset Growth mindset is the belief that you can improve upon your abilities through practice and effort, as opposed to a fixed mindset in which one believes their abilities are unchangeable (Dweck, 2006). Students with fixed mindset believe intelligence is static and tend to desire looking smart, therefore they avoid challenges, give up easily, see effort as fruitless, ignore useful feedback, and are threatened by others’ success. Students with a fixed mindset report feeling dumb when they have to work hard, and are more likely to become discouraged or defensive, may avoid opportunities that will require risk of doing poorly, may blame others for difficulties, lie about their scores, or even consider cheating. Dweck (2010) noted that students with a growth mindset recognize that “even geniuses have to work hard to develop their abilities and make contributions” (Dweck, 2010, p. 17). Students with a growth mindset believe intelligence can be developed, which leads to a desire to learn and a tendency to embrace challenge, persist despite obstacles, see effort as a way to achieve …show more content…
Yeager & Dweck’s research suggests two theories of intelligence, one promoting resilience and the other not. Entity theory (fixed mindset) is about measuring ability and involves threats and defenses. Incremental theory (growth mindset) is about learning. In incremental theory, challenges and setbacks are perceived as helpful and there are opportunities to improve. For students, which theory they believe in will shape their perceptions about goals (eager to learn or eager to avoid looking dumb?), effort (a way to succeed or does it reveal a lack of talent?) and learning strategies (should they work hard or give up or cheat?). Not surprisingly, their research showed that students who believe in the incremental theory tend to be more resilient and earned better grades when faced with challenge (Yeager & Dweck,