Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset

Summary

The script contrasts a fixed mindset, which avoids challenges and views abilities as innate, with a growth mindset that embraces learning from problems and sees potential in effort. Dr. Carol Dweck advocates celebrating effort over outcome, which fosters a love for learning and adaptability. The narrative uses two characters, Jay and Ann, to illustrate these mindsets, highlighting how a growth mindset can lead to personal and professional success, supported by neuroscientific evidence that the brain's capacity for learning is not fixed but can expand with practice.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Embrace Problems: Cultivate a mindset that sees problems as opportunities for learning and growth.
• 🔒 Avoidance of Failure: People with a fixed mindset often avoid challenges due to fear of failure.
• 📚 Growth vs. Fixed: A growth mindset believes in developing abilities through practice, while a fixed mindset sees talents as innate and unchangeable.
• 🏆 Past Achievements: Fixed mindset individuals tend to document and dwell on past successes.
• 🛠️ Development Through Practice: Growth mindset individuals believe in learning and developing new skills through consistent effort.
• 🎓 Learning Love: A growth mindset fosters a love for learning, a trait shared by great leaders and artists.
• 🎉 Celebrate Trying: Dr. Carol Dweck advises celebrating attempts and effort over outcomes to encourage a growth mindset.
• 👨‍🏫‍ & 👩‍👧 Encouragement in Education: Teachers and parents should applaud effort and encourage skill development in students and children.
• 🤸‍♂️ & 🥁 Embracing Challenges: Growth mindset individuals like Ann embrace physical and skill challenges, seeing failure as part of learning.
• 🙅‍♂️ & 🤝 Avoidance of Feedback: Fixed mindset individuals like Jay avoid feedback and take it personally, hindering growth.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Persistence: Growth mindset individuals persist in the face of difficulty, as shown by Ann's stair jumping and drum practice.
• 👀 Seeing Success in Others: Growth mindset individuals are inspired by the success of others and believe in collective growth.
• 🚶‍♂️ Threatened by Success: Fixed mindset individuals like Jay feel threatened by the success of others, fearing increased pressure.
• 🏢 Corporate Preference: Modern companies value employees with a growth mindset for their problem-solving and persistence.
• 🧠 Brain Growth: Neuroscience supports the idea of a growth mindset, showing that the brain can grow with training.
• 🧬 Nurture Over Nature: Studies suggest that nurture plays a significant role in intelligence development, more so than nature.
• 🔄 Mindset Switch: A simple shift in perspective can significantly impact a person's life outcomes and approach to challenges.
• 📝 Beckett's Wisdom: The late poet Samuel Beckett encourages continuous effort and improvement, even in the face of repeated failure.

Q & A

What are the two types of mindsets discussed in the script?

The two types of mindsets discussed are the fixed mindset, which avoids problems out of fear of failure, and the growth mindset, which embraces problems as opportunities to learn.

Why do people with a fixed mindset avoid conflicts?

People with a fixed mindset avoid conflicts because they believe that basic qualities like intelligence or talents are fixed traits and are responsible for success, and they fear failure.

What is the core belief of individuals with a growth mindset?

Individuals with a growth mindset believe that new abilities can be developed through practice, and they view life as an exciting journey with endless opportunities to learn and advance.

Who coined the term 'growth mindset' and what does she advise to develop it?

Dr. Carol Dweck from Stanford University coined the term 'growth mindset'. She advises leaders, teachers, and parents to celebrate trying and to encourage effort rather than just success.

How should teachers respond to students according to Dr. Carol Dweck's advice?

Teachers should applaud students for any grade if they studied hard, emphasizing the value of effort and learning process over the outcome.

What is the difference between Jay and Ann's approach to learning in the script?

Jay has a fixed mindset, avoiding challenges and feedback, while Ann has a growth mindset, embracing challenges, understanding that failure is part of learning, and valuing constructive criticism.

How does Ann's approach to physical exercise differ from Jay's?

Ann embraces physical challenges, finding them exciting and fun, and understands that failing is part of learning. Jay, on the other hand, avoids challenges for fear of looking stupid and being laughed at.

What is Jay's attitude towards feedback from his teacher?

Jay avoids feedback and takes it personally if the teacher suggests improvements, which is indicative of his fixed mindset.

How does Ann's perspective on constructive criticism differ from Jay's?

Ann understands that constructive criticism is necessary for improvement and that it assesses her work, not her as a person, which is a characteristic of a growth mindset.

What is the difference between Jay and Ann's approach to challenges and effort in daily life?

Jay takes the easy road, avoiding challenges and effort, while Ann seeks out challenges, practices regularly, and views effort as part of the journey to a more fulfilling life.

How do Jay and Ann's attitudes towards others' success differ?

Ann is inspired by others' success and believes in mutual growth, while Jay feels threatened and afraid that their success will put pressure on him.

What does the script suggest about the importance of a growth mindset in modern companies?

The script suggests that modern companies value employees with a growth mindset because they are more likely to solve problems and persist despite obstacles.

What does the script imply about the role of nurture versus nature in intelligence?

The script implies that nurture is more important than nature in intelligence development, as shown by studies on adopted twins who tend to have higher intelligence due to the higher educational levels of adoptive parents.

What quote from Samuel Beckett is used in the script, and what does it signify?

The quote 'Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.' is used to signify the importance of persistence and learning from failure, which aligns with the growth mindset.

Is the concept of mindsets in the script considered overly simplistic, and can one make a permanent switch from a fixed to a growth mindset?

The script does not explicitly state if the concept is overly simplistic, but it does suggest that it is possible to make a permanent switch from a fixed to a growth mindset through conscious effort and practice.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

This paragraph introduces two contrasting mindsets: the fixed mindset, which avoids problems and change due to fear of failure, and the growth mindset, which views challenges as opportunities for learning and development. People with a fixed mindset believe in unchangeable traits like intelligence, while those with a growth mindset embrace the idea that abilities can be developed through practice. Dr. Carol Dweck, who coined the term 'growth mindset,' advises celebrating effort over outcome, which is crucial for fostering a love for learning and personal development.

Keywords

💡Mindset

Mindset refers to the established set of attitudes held by an individual. In the video, it is the central concept distinguishing between a 'fixed mindset' and a 'growth mindset'. The former is characterized by avoiding challenges out of fear of failure, while the latter embraces problems as opportunities for learning. The video script uses the mindsets to illustrate different approaches to life's challenges, such as Jay's avoidance of the vaulting horse due to fear of looking stupid.

💡Fixed Mindset

A fixed mindset is the belief that qualities like intelligence and talent are static and cannot be developed. People with this mindset often document past achievements and avoid challenges to prevent failure. In the script, Jay exemplifies a fixed mindset by avoiding the vaulting horse and taking escalators instead of stairs, fearing the effort and potential for embarrassment.

💡Growth Mindset

Growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and effort. Individuals with this mindset view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. The video emphasizes that great leaders and artists share this mindset, and it is a key to lifelong learning and advancement. Ann, from the script, represents a growth mindset by embracing challenges and practicing the drums every morning.

💡Conflict Avoidance

Conflict avoidance is the tendency to steer clear of disagreements or difficult situations. The script describes people with a fixed mindset as avoiding conflicts out of fear of failure, which contrasts with those with a growth mindset who see problems as interesting challenges and are therefore less likely to avoid them.

💡Learning

Learning, in the context of the video, is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, or understanding. It is a key component of a growth mindset, where the love for learning is a common trait among great leaders and artists. The script illustrates this through Ann's approach to life, where she practices the drums and jumps up the stairs, embracing the learning process as part of her journey.

💡Dr. Carol Dweck

Dr. Carol Dweck is a psychologist at Stanford University who coined the term 'mindset'. She is mentioned in the script as an authority on the topic, advising leaders, teachers, and parents to celebrate effort over outcome, which is a principle of fostering a growth mindset.

💡Constructive Criticism

Constructive criticism is feedback that is intended to help improve a person's work or behavior. In the video, Ann understands the value of constructive criticism for personal growth, unlike Jay who takes feedback personally and avoids it. This concept is tied to the growth mindset's acceptance of challenges and the pursuit of improvement.

💡Success

Success, in the video, is not just the achievement of a goal but also the process of learning and growing along the way. It is defined differently by those with fixed and growth mindsets. For individuals with a fixed mindset, success is often tied to inherent traits, while those with a growth mindset see success as the result of effort and learning.

💡Talents

Talents, as discussed in the script, are natural abilities that some people believe are the primary determinants of success. However, the video challenges this notion by suggesting that talents are not fixed and can be developed through practice, aligning with the growth mindset perspective.

💡Neuroscience

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system and brain functions. The script refers to neuroscience to support the idea that the brain, like muscles, can grow with training. This scientific perspective reinforces the video's message that a growth mindset is supported by the brain's plasticity.

💡Adopted Twins

The script mentions a study involving adopted twins to illustrate the impact of nurture over nature on intelligence. It suggests that the higher intelligence of adopted twins compared to their biological siblings is due to the educational environment provided by their adoptive parents, supporting the growth mindset's emphasis on the importance of learning and development.

💡Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.

This quote from Samuel Beckett encapsulates the video's message about the growth mindset's approach to failure. It encourages continuous effort and improvement, suggesting that failure is not a setback but a stepping stone towards success. The script uses this quote to inspire viewers to adopt a growth mindset and view challenges as opportunities for learning.

Highlights

Two types of mindsets can be cultivated: one that embraces problems as opportunities to learn and one that avoids problems out of fear of failure.

People with a fixed mindset avoid conflicts and believe that basic qualities like intelligence or talents are fixed traits responsible for success.

Individuals with a growth mindset see problems as interesting challenges and believe that new abilities can be developed through practice.

Dr. Carol Dweck, who coined the term 'growth mindset', advises leaders, teachers, and parents to celebrate trying and effort.

Teachers should applaud students for any grade if they studied hard, fostering a growth mindset.

Parents should encourage their children to develop any new skill they are interested in, teaching them the skill of learning.

Jay, an example of a fixed mindset, avoids challenges and feedback, fearing failure and looking stupid.

Ann, representing a growth mindset, embraces challenges, understands that failing is part of learning, and values effort.

Ann listens to constructive criticism, recognizing that it's her work, not herself, being assessed.

Jay takes the easy road, avoiding challenges and effort, while Ann seeks out opportunities for growth and learning.

Ann practices the drums every morning, understanding that effort is part of the journey to a more fulfilling life.

Ann is inspired by the success of others and believes that motivating friends to improve can lead to her own growth.

Jay feels threatened by the success of others, fearing that it puts pressure on him to achieve more.

Modern companies seek employees with a growth mindset for their problem-solving abilities and persistence in the face of obstacles.

Neuroscientists confirm that the brain grows with training, like any other muscle in the body.

Studies show that adopted twins tend to have higher intelligence due to the higher educational levels of adoptive parents, emphasizing the importance of nurture over nature.

A simple shift in perspective can significantly impact not only a situation's outcome but also a person's overall life trajectory.

The late poet Samuel Beckett's words encourage trying, failing, and learning from failure as part of the growth process.

The concept of mindsets invites discussion on whether it is overly simplistic and if a permanent switch from a fixed to a growth mindset is possible.

Transcripts

There are two types of mindset we can cultivate:

one that embraces problems as opportunities to learn

and one that avoids them often out of fear to fail.

People that avoid conflicts can be described as having a fixed mindset.

Those who see problems as interesting challenges have a growth mindset.

Sometimes we like to switch from one to the other.

People have a fixed mindset because they believe the basic qualities like intelligence or talents are fixed traits

and that these traits are responsible for success.

They often like to document past achievements.

With a growth mindset people believe that new abilities can be developed through practice.

This view creates a love for learning the most great leaders and artists have in common.

For them life becomes an exciting journey with endless opportunity to figure out new things and advance.

To develop a growth mindset Dr. Carol Dweck the Stanford University professor who coined the term,

advises leaders, teachers, and parents to celebrate trying.

Teachers should applaud students for any grade if they studied hard.

Parents should encourage their children to develop any new skill they are interested in.

Doing this will make them learn the skill of learning

which will also help them back in the classroom.

To illustrate the difference in everyday life let's observe two imaginary kids:

Jay thinks you've either got it or you haven't.

Ann knows that she can learn anything if she wants it enough.

At physical exercise Jay avoid challenges when it's time to jump over the vaulting horse

he's afraid to look stupid and being laughed at.

Ann embraces any challenge. It's exciting and fun!

She knows that failing is part of learning

and if she tries hard, at the end nobody will laugh at her.

Jay avoids feedback.

If the teacher tells him how to improve an assignment he has been working on

he takes it personally.

Ann knows that to improve she needs to listen to constructive criticism.

She also understands that it's not her that is being assessed

but the results of her work on that one day.

Jay always takes the easy road.

For example, he likes escalators and hates to take the stairs.

When he is practicing the guitar he stops the moment he is getting stuck.

Ann usually doesn't even take escalators,

she jumps up the stairs counting every step in her head

and enjoys feeling the blood rushing through her veins.

She practices the drums every morning for 15 minutes.

Not that she always enjoys it,

but she knows that effort is part of a journey to a more fun life.

Ann likes to see others succeed,

it inspires her.

She knows that if she motivates her friends to get better she herself is likely to grow too.

If his friends try new things and succeed

Jay feels threatened.

He's afraid that their success will put pressure on him to do more with his life too.

Modern companies look for employees with the growth mindset

because they solve problems and persist despite obstacles.

To spot the right ones, some asked during the interview

whether the job applicant believes if managers are born

or if management is a skill learned.

Jay thinks that managers are born.

Ann gets the job.

Neuroscientist support the idea.

They confirm that the brain grows like any other muscle in the body with training.

Studies show that adopted twins tend to have higher intelligence

Compared to their siblings who stayed with their biological parents.

The difference appears to come from the higher educational levels of adoptive parents

and shows that nurture is more important than nature.

A simple switch in how a person views a situation

can mean the world of difference.

Not just the outcome of that situation,

the outcome of that person's place in life.

As the late poet Samuel Beckett once said:

Ever tried.

Ever failed

No matter.

Try again.

Fail again.

Fail better.

What do you think about the concept?

Is it overly simplistic?

And if you buy the idea,

do you believe it is possible to make a permanent switch

from a fixed to a growth mindset?

Please share your thoughts in the

comment section below!