Understanding Growth Mindset: Insights from Scientific Research, Study notes of Research Methodology

Download Understanding Growth Mindset: Insights from Scientific Research and more Study notes Research Methodology in PDF only on Docsity! WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GROWTH MINDSET FROM SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | 1 Hosted at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, the Mindset Scholars Network is a group of leading social scientists dedicated to improving student outcomes and expanding educational opportunity by advancing our scientific understanding of students’ mindsets about learning and school. july 2015 What We Know About Growth Mindset from Scientific Research by carissa romero Growth Mindset: What is It? A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence can be developed. Students with a growth mindset understand they can get smarter through hard work, the use of effective strategies, and help from others when needed. It is contrasted with a fixed mindset: the belief that intelligence is a fixed trait that is set in stone at birth. FIXED MINDSET GROWTH MINDSET Definition Belief that ability is a fixed trait that cannot change Belief that ability is malleable and can be developed Interpretation of effort Effort is bad; if you’re smart, you shouldn’t have to work hard Effort is good; it’s how you get better Motivation in school What matters is looking smart, so you can prove your ability What matters is learning, so you can improve your ability Behavioral response to academic setbacks Helplessness; setback is a sign that you don’t have what it takes Resilience; setback is a sign that you need to work harder or try a new strategy Meaning of failure Failure is the end of the story: time to give up Failure is the beginning of the story: time to try again SOURCE: MASTER, A. (2015). PRAISE THAT MAKES LEARNERS MORE RESILIENT. MINDSET SCHOLARS NETWORK. Why Does It Matter? Students’ beliefs about intelligence have important consequences for how they experience school and how they respond to setbacks and adversity. When students hold a fixed mindset, school can be a threatening place because they may be worried about proving their ability or avoiding “looking dumb.” This can lead students to avoid challenges and give up when they struggle. But when students hold a growth mindset, they may experience school as an exciting place to grow, embracing challenges as opportunities to develop mastery.1 WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT GROWTH MINDSET FROM SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH | 2 Students’ mindsets about ability shape their responses to challenges in school When students hold a fixed mindset, school can be a threatening place When students believe that intelligence is something you either have or you don’t have, their main goal in school is to show how smart they are—or hide that they’re not smart. Therefore, they tend to value getting the best grades over learning. This can make school a stressful experience. Similarly, these students view effort and struggle negatively. They think, “If I have to try, then I must not be very smart.” When they struggle, they conclude that they’ve discovered something they’re not smart at. Given these reactions, it is not surprising that students holding a fixed mindset tend to falter in the face of challenges. In contrast, students with a growth mindset experience school as an exciting place to learn and grow When students believe intelligence is something that can be developed, they value learning and mastery. Since school provides this opportu- nity to learn, it can be a motivating and engaging place. Similarly, students with a growth mindset view effort and struggle more positively. They see effort as a way to learn and develop their intelligence, and they understand that struggling with a task they haven’t yet mastered is the only way to grow. Because of their interpreta- tions of effort and struggle, students with a growth mindset are more likely to thrive in the face of challenges. When students believe intelligence is something that can be developed, they value learning and mastery. Since school provides this opportunity to learn, it can be a motivating and engaging place. If the student believes her intelligence is fixed Student receives a poor grade on an assignment or exam "I am stupid at this. I shouldn't even bother trying." Decreased effort Diminished academic engagement and performance "I haven't mastered this yet. I need to work harder or try a new approach." Increased effort and use of positive learning strategies Increased academic engagement and performance If the student believes her intelligence can grow Negative outcomes reinforce fixed mindset Positive outcomes reinforce growth mindset EXAMPLE OF A CHALLENGE