Carol Dweck - Beliefs: Uniting Personality and Social Psychology - at SPSP 2014

Summary

Carol Dweck, recipient of the distinguished scholar award, discusses the impact of beliefs on personality and behavior. Her research shows that mindsets, such as viewing intelligence as fixed or capable of growth, significantly affect educational achievement. Dweck's studies demonstrate that these mindsets can be altered through interventions, leading to improved academic performance. She also explores how early praise for process versus ability shapes children's mindsets and future achievements.

Takeaways

• 🏆 Carol Dweck is the recipient of the distinguished scholar award for her work that bridges social and personality psychology.
• 🧠 Dweck's research shows that from infancy, people build mental models of their social world, which include beliefs about others and themselves.
• 👶 Infants as young as 12 to 16 months already have expectations about their caregivers' behavior, indicating early development of social beliefs.
• 🌟 Dweck emphasizes that beliefs are a crucial part of personality, influencing goals, openness to challenges, and responses to setbacks.
• 🔄 Beliefs can be triggered by situations or changed more enduringly, highlighting the dynamic nature of human psychology.
• 📈 The power of beliefs was recognized in the 1970s and 80s, showing their impact on how people interpret failures and challenges.
• 📊 Mindsets, such as a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset, affect how people engage with learning and correct errors, with measurable differences in brain activity.
• 📈 A growth mindset can improve academic achievement, as shown by studies with seventh graders and high school students.
• 🧠 Early praise of process rather than ability can lead to a growth mindset and a desire for challenge in children.
• 💪 Mindsets about willpower predict conscientiousness and achievement, with those believing in a finite resource showing more depletion effects.
• 🌐 Changing social mindsets can reduce aggression and improve social behavior, as demonstrated by interventions reducing cyberbullying and promoting pro-social responses.

Q & A

Who is Carol Dweck and what award did she receive?

Carol Dweck is a psychologist known for her work on mindsets and their impact on achievement and behavior. She is the recipient of the year's distinguished scholar award, which was created for individuals who don't limit themselves to a single field of psychology.

What does Carol Dweck believe about the nature of beliefs and their impact on people?

Carol Dweck believes that beliefs are a key way we package our experiences and carry them forward over time. They become a greater part of who we are and can affect the experiences we see, the goals we seek, and how we respond to challenges and setbacks.

What is the significance of Carol Dweck's work with infants and their mental models?

Carol Dweck's work with infants shows that even at 12 to 16 months, they are creating models, beliefs, and expectations about their social world, which can influence their reactions to events, such as the return or absence of a caregiver.

How does Carol Dweck define the term 'mindset'?

Carol Dweck defines 'mindset' as the beliefs individuals adopt that are part of their personality. These beliefs can be enduring and influence various aspects of a person's life, including their openness to challenges and their approach to setbacks.

What is the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset according to Carol Dweck?

A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence can be developed, whereas a fixed mindset is the belief that intelligence is a fixed trait. People with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges and learn from mistakes, while those with a fixed mindset may avoid challenges and see failures as defining their abilities.

How can a growth mindset be induced or changed?

A growth mindset can be induced or changed through interventions such as workshops, educational programs, or even simple changes in the way people are praised. For example, praising effort rather than ability can lead to the development of a growth mindset.

What impact can a growth mindset have on academic achievement?

A growth mindset can lead to improved academic achievement. Studies have shown that students who are taught a growth mindset can experience a rebound in grades, higher test scores, and are less likely to drop out of courses.

How early can the development of a growth mindset be detected?

The development of a growth mindset can be detected as early as 1 to 3 years of age through the way parents praise their children. Praising the process rather than the outcome can lead to a growth mindset and a desire for challenge in children four to five years later.

What is the relationship between mindset and stress according to Carol Dweck's research?

Carol Dweck's research suggests that the way people interpret stress can transform its meaning and impact. Those who view stress as a positive challenge rather than a threat are better able to function under pressure.

How does Carol Dweck's work on mindsets relate to social psychology?

Carol Dweck's work on mindsets is closely related to social psychology because it examines how beliefs can be situationally triggered or changed, and how these dynamic aspects of human nature influence social behaviors and interactions.

What is the role of early input in shaping mindsets according to Carol Dweck?

Early input, such as the type of praise children receive, plays a significant role in shaping their mindsets. Process praise, which focuses on effort and learning, can lead to the development of a growth mindset and a greater openness to challenges.