Cultivating a growth mindset
Have you ever tried a new activity and instantly felt like you were not smart or capable enough, despite it being the first time you ever tried it? Or perhaps a course at school where you’re struggling to understand the material made you believe that you didn’t possess the intelligence or skills required to master it? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it might be time to pay attention to your mindset.
“The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life” – Carol S. Dweck.
Mindset dictates the kind of life we live. It can affect our motivation, achievements, and overall well-being. Our belief towards our own intellectual capacity can have an impact on our ability to grow, adapt and tackle challenges in life. People with a fixed mindset believe that intelligence is an unchangeable trait. Alternatively, those with a growth mindset hold the belief that, just like a muscle, your mindset can be trained. Those who believe in a growth mindset feel practice can help you develop, and strengthen, characteristics such as intelligence, talent and abilities over time.
There is a wide variety of research, specifically on students, to understand the influence of mindset on academic performance. Throughout their academic life, the mindset of students can change and develop over time. Studies conducted by psychologist Dweck and her colleagues, demonstrated the following factors shape a student’s mindset:
Nature of praise from educators/parents: Praising a student’s attribute such as “being so smart at X” can instill the belief that their success is a result of a trait they were naturally born with, encouraging the development of a fixed mindset. On the other hand, praising their efforts, such as how hard they worked to achieve their success, can encourage a growth mindset by enabling the belief that success is a result of their behaviour (hard work).
Academic experience: Students who achieved greater academic success exhibited stronger growth mindsets. This finding may be dependent on age and cultural context.
Observing peers: Some students reported that seeing their peers fail, despite trying their best, caused them to believe in a fixed mindset. If students observed their peers overcome difficulties, this encouraged a shift in their belief towards a growth mindset.
Formal learning: Societal cues such as IQ testing and courses on psychology imply the fixed nature of intelligence by suggesting that genetics affects intelligence. Such misconceptions can be addressed by mindset interventions.
However, it is important to understand that mindset is not set in stone and there are several ways that can help build and strengthen a growth mindset:
Embrace lifelong learning: In the school of life, we are learning new things every single day. People with a growth mindset recognize that and embrace lifelong learning.
Take on challenging tasks: Working hard when faced with challenges can grow your intelligence. Struggle is not indicative of a lack of skill but rather an opportunity for growth.
Recognize your intrinsic motivation: Intrinsic motivation is the internal reward you achieve from completing a task; for example you have fun, you find it interesting or you feel good after you complete the task. This intrinsic motivation drives behaviour and self-determination. Recognizing and developing your intrinsic motivation towards a task can help build a growth mindset.
Adopt an attitude of self-compassion: Research suggests that a growth mindset can be cultivated by being self-compassionate when faced with failures or difficulty. This creates a desire to do better, and the belief that self-improvement is possible.
References:
MINDSET: THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS by Carol S. Dweck.
Growing a Growth Mindset: Characterizing How and Why Undergraduate Students' Mindsets Change. Limeri et al.International Journal of STEM Education. 2020; v7 Article 35.
Mind-set interventions are a scalable treatment for academic underachievement. Paunesku D, et al. Psychol Sci. 2015 Jun;26(6):784-93.
Give Yourself a Break: The Power of Self-Compassion. Harvard Business Review. Serena Chen.
