The Growth Mindset - What is Growth Mindset (2024)

Dr. Dweck’s research into growth mindset changed education forever

The Growth Mindset - What is Growth Mindset (1)

Over 30 years ago, Carol Dweck and her colleagues became interested in students' attitudes about failure. They noticed that some students rebounded while other students seemed devastated by even the smallest setbacks. After studying the behavior of thousands of children, Dr. Dweck coined the terms fixed mindset and growth mindset to describe the underlying beliefs people have about learning and intelligence. When students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher achievement.

Recent advances in neuroscience have shown us that the brain is far more malleable than we ever knew. Research on brain plasticity has shown how connectivity between neurons can change with experience. With practice, neural networks grow new connections, strengthen existing ones, and build insulation that speeds transmission of impulses. These neuroscientific discoveries have shown us that we can increase our neural growth by the actions we take, such as using good strategies, asking questions, practicing, and following good nutrition and sleep habits.

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At the same time that these neuroscientific discoveries were gaining traction, researchers began to understand the link between mindsets and achievement. It turns out, if you believe your brain can grow, you behave differently. So the researchers asked, “Can we change mindsets? And if so, how?” This began a series of interventions and studies that prove we can indeed change a person’s mindset from fixed to growth, and when we do, it leads to increased motivation and achievement. For example, 7th graders who were taught that intelligence is malleable and shown how the brain grows with effort showed a clear increase in math grades. Download the lesson plan used in this intervention!

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In addition to teaching kids about malleable intelligence, researchers started noticing that teacher practice has a big impact on student mindset, and the feedback that teachers give their students can either encourage a child to choose a challenge and increase achievement or look for an easy way out. For example, studies on different kinds of praise have shown that telling children they are smart encourages a fixed mindset, whereas praising hard work and effort cultivates a growth mindset. When students have a growth mindset, they take on challenges and learn from them, therefore increasing their abilities and achievement. Read more about how teacher practices impact student mindsets and achievement.

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What does growth mindset teaching look like in the real world? When we take the research out of the laboratory and into the classroom, we see amazing results. One such case study is Fiske Elementary School. With a diverse student population of English language learners and special education students, the administrators at Fiske infused growth mindset into the school culture by starting with teacher mindsets. Teachers took part in a Mindset book study the first year of implementation, and completed the MindsetMaker™ online professional development the second year. While state test scores in math remained stagnant, Fiske Elementary saw amazing growth, which they attributed to a growth mindset teacher practices and culture shift. Read more Case Studies about closing the gap between research and practice.

The Growth Mindset - What is Growth Mindset (2024)

FAQs

The Growth Mindset - What is Growth Mindset? ›

Dweck, 2015) Growth mindset: “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” ( Dweck, 2015)

What is the growth mindset? ›

Growth mindset describes a way of viewing challenges and setbacks. People who have a growth mindset believe that even if they struggle with certain skills, their abilities aren't set in stone. They think that with work, their skills can improve over time.

What best describes a growth mindset? ›

A growth mindset, proposed by Stanford professor Carol Dweck in her book Mindset, describes people who believe that their success depends on time and effort. People with a growth mindset feel their skills and intelligence can be improved with effort and persistence.

What are the 5 characteristics of a growth mindset? ›

These are the key elements of a growth mindset:
  • 1) Intelligence can be developed. A fixed mindset might say intelligence is static. ...
  • 2) Embrace challenges. ...
  • 3) Persist in the face of setbacks. ...
  • 4) See effort as a path to mastery. ...
  • 5) Learn from criticism. ...
  • 5 ½) Find inspiration in the success of others.
Sep 13, 2021

What is a growth mindset answer? ›

When someone has a growth mindset, they believe that they can continue to learn and become more intelligent with effort. In contrast, someone who has a fixed mindset believes that they are born with a certain amount of talent and intelligence, and that cannot be improved no matter how much effort they put forth.

What is the real world definition of growth mindset? ›

Growth Mindset Definition

They believe that their natural level of intelligence, as well as their talents, are just a starting point and that with time and dedication these can improve to a level that is not only the very best, but that can also surpass others' pre-existing levels of talent.

Why is growth mindset so powerful? ›

“In a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don't necessarily think everyone's the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it.”

What are the three rules of growth mindset? ›

The Rule of Thirds is a great way to embrace obstacles with optimism, convert the severest and darkest moments as the breakthroughs, and accept what hurts - emotionally and physically. It's often a whole lot of nothing, and then a big leap forward.

Which 3 belongs to growth mindset? ›

growth mindset examples into three categories: Identity and Self-Improvement, Comparing to Others, and Learning Something New.

What prevents a growth mindset? ›

They may also have low self-efficacy, confidence, or motivation to learn new skills or behaviors. Resistance to change and learning can hinder or prevent a growth mindset in teams, as it limits team members' potential, performance, and innovation.

How do you describe a person with a growth mindset? ›

People with a growth mindset are always looking for ways to improve, whether that means learning new skills, trying out new strategies, or making big changes to how they work.

Does growth mindset actually work? ›

Although all of these actions sound great, the collective results from studies have been less than stellar. Encouraging a growth mindset in students does appear to boost their mental health, but it seems to impart only a small and limited benefit on academic achievement, if any.

What is a growth mindset goal? ›

A growth mindset is the belief that you can learn, change and improve with time and effort. People who have a growth mindset build up the strength to overcome challenges instead of giving up because they think they just don't have what it takes to succeed.

What is growth theory mindset? ›

Introduction: Growth mindset is a motivation theory proposed by Carol Dweck that posits our beliefs about intelligence, and the ability to change mindsets can have impacts on how we approach challenges, respond to criticism challenges and orient our goals.

What is growth thinking about? ›

Growth thinking is a fast, easy, and simple way to prototype growth hacks. This enables growth by visualizing a growth hack in abstract and then detailing them into a systematic approach. This makes it easy to develop and improve growth hacks and generate new, better growth hacks.

What is growth mindset lessons? ›

A growth mindset is believing in the power of yourself and your brain! We know our intellect and abilities develop when we try difficult things, use the right strategies, and don't give up. So a growth mindset is when we know, with practice, we will get better at something.

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