Understanding Mindsets

The New Psychology of Success

By Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.

Commit to Engage Yourself

•Robert Sternberg writes:

•“The major factor in whether people achieve expertise is not some fixed prior ability, but purposeful engagement.”

• “It’s not always the people who start out the smartest who end up the smartest.” Alfred Binet

What is the Fixed

Mindset? Believing that your qualities are carved in stone.

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What is The Growth Mindset?

Based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts.

Fixed or Growth?

Group Discussion

Cherished Qualities can be

Developed The passion for stretching

yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not

going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This mindset

allows people to thrive during the most challenging times in their

lives.

The will to practice, dig down, & pull it out when you

most need it.

Character, Heart,

Will, & the Mind of a Champion

“I derive just as much happiness from the process as from the results. I

don’t mind losing as long as I see improvement or I feel

I’ve done as well as I possibly could. If I lose, I just go back to the track

and work some more.” Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Taking Charge of Success

People with a growth mindset take charge of the processes that bring success.

Michael Jordan’s skill didn’t seem to decline with age. He did lose some stamina and agility, but to compensate he worked even harder on conditioning

and on his moves.

He came into the league as a slam-dunker and left as the most complete player ever to grace the game.

Fixed Mindset

For those with a fixed mindset, success is about establishing their superiority. Being

that somebody who is worthier than the nobodies. When they fail they blame outside

forces.

Where Do Mindsets Come

From?

• Who influenced Brian Regan as an elementary school student?

• What can you do to nurture a growth mindset in your students?

Teachers & Parents can send Growth or Fixed

Mindset Messages Praising children’s intelligence can harm their motivation and performance.

Children love praise but the minute they hit a snag, their confidence goes out the window and their motivation hits rock bottom. If success means they’re smart, then failure means they’re dumb. This is the Fixed Mindset. (There is no room for failure)

Celebrate Effort

•Teach children to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep on learning.•Children don’t have to be slaves of praise and will have a lifelong way to build & repair their own confidence.

Praise a Student’s

Growth-Oriented Efforts

& Achievements• Make Statements That Admire Efforts

You really worked hard and your improvement shows.

I liked the way you tried all kinds of strategies.

Everyone learns in a different way. Let’s keep trying to find the way that works for you.

You read the material over carefully and your comprehension strategies really worked!

I like the way you took on that challenging project for your science project!

Teachers with a Fixed Mindset

• They think of themselves as finished products.

• They feel their role is to impart their knowledge.

• They worry about their fixed traits & documenting them sometimes at others expense.

• They are judgmental and don’t believe in improvement.

• They stereotype students into the “bright” and the “not so bright” groups.

Growth Mindset Teachers

• They love to learn and are fascinated with the process of learning.

• They love teaching because they want to help others learn.

• They set high standards for all their students, not just the ones who are already achieving.

• They give constructive criticism feedback so students can improve.

Growth Mindset in

Your Classroom

At your table share your experiences with students who have experienced a

growth mindset.

High School

BASKETBALL

SENSATIONJason McElwain Story

Jason McElwain Story

A.P. U.S. History

At least 3 hours of intense study every day for the entire year.

AWESOME!!After all of her hard work, Lacey found out that she had passed the test!

Look at Jason now.Jason McElwain Story

FIVE YEARS LATER

Desire To Have A Growth Mindset

Believe that success comes from learning, struggling, and striving to

improve. Change from

judge-and be judged to learn-and-help-learn