Growth Mindset explained. Why is it important?
How do you approach difficult situations?
When you struggle with a task or situation, are you more likely to see it as an opportunity to learn, or do you tend to think of it as a sign that it's beyond your capability?
If you fail at something, do you start to think about how to tackle it differently next time, or do you think that there’s no point in trying again?
In the 1990s, Carol Dweck, Professor of Psychology, and her colleagues at Stanford University became particularly interested in students' attitudes towards failure. They started to research the underlying beliefs people have about learning and intelligence, through which they noticed that some students were more resilient and better able to cope with setbacks than others. This is something particularly important now as we all begin to move back to normality.
What are the differences between a growth and fixed mindset?
In 2006, Dweck published her book ‘Mindset: The New Psychology of Success’ in which she argued that when students believe they can improve their ability and performance, they increase their effort, leading to higher achievement. She argued that individuals could be categorised based on their views about ability, i.e. those with a ‘growth mindset’ and those with a ‘fixed mindset.’ She pointed out, based on the theory of ‘neuroplasticity’, that rather than being ‘set’ at a particular point in development, the brain can continue to form new connections long into adulthood. These connections can also be formed after the brain has been damaged, as well as when it is stimulated by new experiences, whenever in life they occur. In other words, it is possible to adopt a growth mindset at any stage of development and in adulthood.
Is it one or the other?
No. People don’t have just one mindset - as humans we operate in both a fixed and a growth mindset. How is this possible? Well, think about your mindset about jumping unaided out of an aeroplane. No amount of effort, practice or belief in your ability to fly would prepare you to fly. You know that you can’t. This example shows how for survival we must have a fixed mindset about some things, but if we have a fixed mindset about everything, then we can’t grow and progress.
Dweck (2015) defines the fixed mindset as being when people “believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success, without effort.” In contrast she defines a growth mindset as being when “people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment."
Why is a growth mindset important?
You might be wondering why a growth mindset is so important. The answer is that research shows that from the early years into adulthood, an individual’s experience of learning is significantly impacted on whether they hold a fixed or growth mindset. Those with a growth mindset don’t give up when they face a problem, they think about how to solve the problem and tackle it differently next time. They work to improve their skills which leads them to a greater experience of success. Their life chances are better. They have greater opportunities.
It is of course true that people are unique, with different skills and abilities, but those with a growth mindset believe that they can always improve, catch up, or even exceed others’ innate abilities. Parents and educators play a vital role in shaping confidence and outlook through productive, continuous feedback. Dweck pointed out the importance of “teachers who understand the growth mindset do[ing] everything in their power to unlock that learning.”
How a growth mindset helps children and young people:
1. It reduces their stress.
Our children face enormous stress and pressure, particularly now. Learning how to manage this early on can have major benefits. Evidence indicates that people with a growth mindset generally have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. They are more resilient, seeing setbacks as opportunities to learn.
2. It helps them cope better with change.
Those with a growth mindset believe they can develop their skills and are therefore likely to cope better with change. They welcome change and adapt faster and more effectively.
3. It helps them to self-regulate.
Self-regulation refers to an individual’s ability to monitor and manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviours. Research suggests that a growth mindset can improve self-regulation through focusing on persistence and personal growth to achievement.
4. It enhances their self-esteem.
A vital component of success in learning and life, the self-esteem of those with a growth mindset is consistent even in the face of failure or adversity. This may be because they don’t associate performance with identity, acknowledging hard work when they do well without dwelling on mistakes.
5. It improves their metacognitive skills.
Metacognition refers to the process of thinking about one’s own thinking or learning. In the example of learning assessments or examinations, those with a growth mindset are more likely to place higher value on effective revision strategies and more likely to be intrinsically motivated to put effort into preparation.
So what can parents and educators do?
Seven ways to help children and young people develop a growth mindset:
Teach them that they can achieve and improve on anything through learning.
Make sure they understand that success comes from passion, dedication and effort, not just innate or inherited talents and qualities.
Help them to learn and grow as a result of setbacks.
Teach them to see criticism as constructive, rather than offensive.
Don’t allow them to compare themselves to other people, or attribute their success or failure to them. Help them take responsibility for themselves.
Help them to understand themselves and their own strengths, challenges and needs so that they can grow.
Teach them to value the process more than the end result.
The most effective way to help children and young people develop a growth mindset is for their parents and educators to lead by example. Its never too late: as we now know, the growth mindset can be learned late into adulthood. Dweck highlights that those with a growth mindset continually try to improve, by “surrounding themselves with the most able people they can find, looking squarely at their own mistakes and deficiencies, and asking frankly what skills they will need in the future.”
Surely now’s the best time to start?
