The power of yet | Carol S Dweck | TEDxNorrköping

Summary

Psychologist Carol Dweck discusses the concept of a 'growth mindset' versus a 'fixed mindset' in education. She illustrates how the use of 'Not Yet' instead of 'Failing' can motivate students to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Dweck emphasizes the importance of praising effort and process over innate talent, and shares how this approach can transform student outcomes, especially for those who traditionally underperform. She provides examples of significant improvements in underprivileged student groups when taught with a growth mindset, highlighting the potential for all children to succeed when nurtured in an environment that fosters learning and development.

Takeaways

• 📚 The concept of 'Not Yet' is introduced as a more constructive way to view failure in education, suggesting that students are on a learning curve rather than being defined by their current level of achievement.
• 🧠 The 'growth mindset' is highlighted as a belief that abilities can be developed, contrasting with a 'fixed mindset' that views intelligence as static.
• 👶 Praising children for their effort, strategies, focus, and perseverance rather than their innate intelligence can foster resilience and a growth mindset.
• 🎮 A new online math game was developed in collaboration with game scientists to reward effort and progress, encouraging a growth mindset in students.
• 🧠 The brain activity of students with a growth mindset is shown to be more engaged when confronted with errors, leading to learning and improvement.
• 📉 Students with a fixed mindset may resort to negative behaviors like cheating or seeking validation from others' failures when they encounter academic challenges.
• 🏆 The need for constant validation and immediate rewards is critiqued as a potential consequence of a focus on short-term achievements rather than long-term growth.
• 🌟 The potential for changing students' mindsets is discussed, with studies showing that teaching the brain's capacity for growth can lead to improved academic performance.
• 📈 The power of a growth mindset is demonstrated in educational settings, with examples of underperforming groups achieving remarkable success when taught in a growth mindset environment.
• 💌 A personal letter from a 13-year-old boy illustrates the transformative impact of adopting a growth mindset on personal development and relationships.
• 🌐 The importance of creating educational environments that foster growth mindsets is emphasized, suggesting that it is a basic human right for children to be in such environments.

Q & A

What is the significance of the grade 'Not Yet' mentioned in the script?

The grade 'Not Yet' is significant because it conveys to students that they are on a learning curve and that their abilities can still develop, rather than labeling them as failures with a failing grade.

What is a growth mindset according to the script?

A growth mindset is the belief that one's abilities can be developed through dedication and effort, as opposed to a fixed mindset where one's intelligence is seen as unchangeable.

How do students with a fixed mindset react to challenges compared to those with a growth mindset?

Students with a fixed mindset may see challenges as tragic and catastrophic, often avoiding them or seeking validation through comparison with others. In contrast, students with a growth mindset embrace challenges, viewing them as opportunities to learn and grow.

What is the difference in brain activity between fixed and growth mindset students when confronted with errors?

Fixed mindset students show little brain activity when faced with errors, indicating avoidance and disengagement. Growth mindset students, however, show increased brain activity, engaging deeply with the error to learn and correct it.

What is the impact of praising the process rather than intelligence or talent?

Praising the process, such as effort, strategies, focus, and perseverance, creates hardy and resilient children who are more likely to embrace challenges and persist in the face of difficulties.

How does the online math game created in collaboration with game scientists reward students?

The online math game rewards students for their effort, strategy, and progress, rather than just getting answers right immediately, which encourages more engagement and perseverance.

What effect do the words 'yet' or 'not yet' have on students' confidence and persistence?

The words 'yet' or 'not yet' provide students with greater confidence and a sense of a path into the future, leading to increased persistence in their learning.

How can teaching a growth mindset improve students' academic performance?

Teaching a growth mindset can lead to improved academic performance by helping students understand that their intelligence can grow with effort, leading to a rebound in grades, especially during challenging transitions.

What is the role of effort and difficulty in a growth mindset classroom?

In a growth mindset classroom, effort and difficulty are seen as positive indicators of learning, where neurons form new and stronger connections, leading to increased intelligence.

How can a growth mindset lead to educational equality among different student groups?

A growth mindset can lead to educational equality by transforming the meaning of effort and difficulty, allowing traditionally underperforming groups to excel when provided with an environment that fosters growth and learning.

What is the importance of living in places that create growth, as mentioned in the script?

Living in places that create growth is important because it allows children to develop their abilities to the fullest, making it a basic human right for all children to be in environments that support and encourage their growth.