Teaching a Growth Mindset - Carol Dweck

Summary

The transcript from Stanford University discusses the impact of mindset on learning and achievement. It contrasts a fixed mindset, where abilities are seen as unchangeable, with a growth mindset, which embraces challenges and sees effort as a path to improvement. Research shows that a growth mindset correlates with higher academic performance, even among disadvantaged students. The script highlights studies that teach a growth mindset to students, leading to better grades and a love for learning. It also explores the potential of a growth mindset in educational settings, corporate cultures, and conflict resolution, suggesting it can empower individuals and communities to achieve their full potential.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Humans are innately designed to learn and develop skills from a very young age.
• 🌟 The mindset students have about their intelligence significantly impacts their approach to learning.
• 🔄 A fixed mindset, where abilities are seen as unchangeable, can hinder learning and lead to avoidance of challenges.
• 🌱 A growth mindset fosters a love for learning, resilience in the face of setbacks, and a willingness to embrace challenges.
• 📊 Research with 10th graders in Chile showed that a growth mindset correlates with higher academic achievement across all socioeconomic levels.
• 👨‍🎓 Teaching a growth mindset to students can lead to improved academic performance and a greater sense of belonging in challenging subjects like computer science.
• 🎮 Innovative educational tools, like 'brain points' games, can motivate students to learn by focusing on effort and progress rather than just getting answers right.
• 🏫 Creating a growth mindset environment in schools can lead to significant improvements in student achievement, even for those from traditionally underperforming communities.
• 💼 The growth mindset is not just for schools; it's also beneficial in the workplace, where it can empower employees to learn, innovate, and reach their full potential.
• 🌐 Teaching a growth mindset about groups can have broader societal implications, such as fostering understanding and peace between different communities.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 It's crucial for educators and parents to model and nurture a growth mindset in children, as simply having a growth mindset oneself is not enough to ensure it's passed on to the next generation.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's work?

The speaker's work focuses on understanding why students develop different perspectives on their intelligence and abilities, and how these perspectives impact their learning and performance.

What is the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset?

A fixed mindset is the belief that talents and abilities are fixed traits, which can lead to fear of learning and avoidance of challenges. In contrast, a growth mindset involves seeing abilities as something that can be developed through effort and learning, leading to a willingness to take on challenges and resilience in the face of setbacks.

How did the study with 10th graders in Chile demonstrate the impact of mindset on academic performance?

The study showed that students with a growth mindset outperformed those with a fixed mindset at every level of family income. Notably, poorer students with a growth mindset performed at levels comparable to much wealthier students with a fixed mindset.

What was the outcome of teaching a growth mindset to students transitioning to seventh grade?

Students who were taught a growth mindset along with study skills showed a significant improvement in their grades, particularly in math, compared to those who only learned study skills.

How did the growth mindset modules affect university students in computer science?

The modules led to women feeling a greater sense of belonging in computer science, performing better, and intending to take more courses in the future. Male students also benefited from the growth mindset approach.

What is unique about the math game created for elementary school students?

The math game rewards students with 'brain points' for sustained effort, trying multiple strategies, and making progress, rather than just for getting correct answers quickly.

How did the growth mindset training change the students' perception of difficulty?

In a growth mindset, difficulty is seen as an opportunity for learning and growth, whereas in a fixed mindset, difficulty is often viewed negatively and can lead to avoidance.

What was the impact of implementing a growth mindset environment in a native American community?

After a year to a year-and-a-half of implementing a growth mindset environment, the kindergarteners and first graders in the native American community went from the bottom to the top of the district in academic performance.

How do growth mindset companies differ from fixed mindset companies in terms of employee development?

Growth mindset companies empower employees to learn, innovate, and create, leading to more potential for development and success. Fixed mindset companies may focus on initial talent but do not see the same level of growth and development over time.

What is the mystery the speaker mentions regarding adults with a growth mindset and their children?

The mystery is that many adults with a growth mindset are not necessarily passing on that mindset to their children, suggesting that simply having a growth mindset as an adult does not automatically result in fostering the same mindset in children.

How can parents help their children develop a growth mindset?

Parents can help by reacting to their children's failures or difficulties as opportunities for learning, showing interest in their progress, and encouraging them to learn from setbacks rather than expressing anxiety or concern.