Growth mindset
Have you heard of the term growth mindset? It’s a concept that has changed the way many students approach challenges and setbacks. Having a growth mindset means that you believe your abilities and intelligence can improve through dedication and hard work. Psychologist Carol Dweck spoke about growth mindset in her 2006 book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, but the term went mainstream in 2014 after she gave her famous TED talk, The power of believing that you can improve, which has been viewed more than 15 million times.
So, let’s dive into what a growth mindset is all about and how your student can nurture one.
Let’s start by mentioning that the opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset. Students who lean more towards having a fixed mindset believe that they are born with their abilities and that their abilities are set in stone so can’t be changed. On the other hand, students who exemplify more of a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, thus believe that they can acquire new abilities if they put in the effort.
For example, let’s say a student failed their recent chemistry test. Someone with a fixed mindset would likely say, “I’m not good at chemistry” and leave it at that. However, someone with a growth mindset would be more likely to think, “I didn’t do well on this particular test, but I can prepare more for the next one or work with a tutor to do better on the next test.”
When asked about his attempts at creating the lightbulb Thomas Edison famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” If he believed he was incapable of improving, he would have seen his previous attempts as failures and likely would have given up before ultimately creating the lightbulb.
Or Serena Williams who is known for her strong work ethic and belief in constant improvement. Even after winning multiple Grand Slam titles and being recognized as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, she continues to push herself, learn from her losses, and get better.
So, how can your student develop their growth mindset?
If you ask Carol Dweck, she might point you to her book and say people with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and see effort as the path to mastery. Students can also start with a few key shifts in their mindset such as
embracing challenges rather than avoiding them,
thinking of setbacks as learning opportunities,
recognizing effort and persistence, and
viewing constructive feedback as an opportunity to grow rather than as critiques.
Dweck’s research also shows that people with a growth mindset tend to achieve more because they worry less about looking smart and instead put more energy into learning (Dweck, 2006). Nurturing a growth mindset can become a powerful part of your student’s success in school and beyond.
