Growth mindset is often talked about as though it's the greatest thing since sliced bread (especially among educators). But what does the evidence actually say? And isn't there a bigger picture?
I tend to have a problem with optimism or confidence that is not bounded by reason or facts. For example, having a growth mindset means believing that you can increase your intelligence (significantly). But as far as I know, increasing intelligence is not exactly easy (possible?), so isn't this belief a bit unreasonable?
Like you, I believe that we should all try to improve, become better people, and make progress for as long as we live - it's something that adds a lot of depth, meaning, and pleasure to life. But I would say that our optimism should be bounded by reason and facts - something that does not necessarily remove our motivation, but rather directs it.
One of her comments went to the heart. She was first row, first seat, so essentially she spent her energy protecting her territory. I was tested as a genius in 4th grade and in retrospect feel that this was a burden. I put so much expectation on myself and my performance. And so did others. It was like maneuvering from a rigid box at the top of a pile. It would have been healthier for me if I hadn’t been given my score, and the approach had been in problem solving, recovering from failure, and expansion. I went on to study psychology because I really wanted to understand how the mind works. I thought I was strange.
I wanted to assert that a growth mindset is a necessary, but not sufficient, contributor to learning and development - but it's far more complex than that. We are organic systems with emergent properties. Much of our growth happens naturally through experience, regardless of mindset. There are so many factors involved, mindset being one of many, and with so much attention on one contributor to growth we risk not seeing all the nuance. The human spirit, our striving and our upwards trajectory of growth is fascinating, complex, and defies simple explanations.
I try to be current and evidence-based and this is one more example of why we have to be current and knowledgeable when we open our mouths. My son teaches in Marin County at a private high school and there are printouts about growth mindset on the wall of every classroom. Wow.
Thanks Scott this is awesome. I am happy to be following you after just completing a MAPP in the UK and having a strong interest in whole wellbeing, purpose in life and SA. I love how you highlight the nuances which is refreshing, and the overviews on the research is very helpful. I’ll sign up now to support you :)
"How many of us are truly open to new experiences and are courageous in pursuing challenging activities that make us feel alive and that make us feel like we are contributing to the actualization of our most creative potential?" I'd guess a lot of people who read Mindset feel that way. That book changed my life more than any other.
While I've always been optimistic, it made me realize that I'd had a fixed mindset about things I'd never even tried. Ever since, I've been much more open to trying new things, not expecting to be the best, but to see what I am made of.
I tend to have a problem with optimism or confidence that is not bounded by reason or facts. For example, having a growth mindset means believing that you can increase your intelligence (significantly). But as far as I know, increasing intelligence is not exactly easy (possible?), so isn't this belief a bit unreasonable?
Like you, I believe that we should all try to improve, become better people, and make progress for as long as we live - it's something that adds a lot of depth, meaning, and pleasure to life. But I would say that our optimism should be bounded by reason and facts - something that does not necessarily remove our motivation, but rather directs it.
What’s the definition of growth mindset?
One of her comments went to the heart. She was first row, first seat, so essentially she spent her energy protecting her territory. I was tested as a genius in 4th grade and in retrospect feel that this was a burden. I put so much expectation on myself and my performance. And so did others. It was like maneuvering from a rigid box at the top of a pile. It would have been healthier for me if I hadn’t been given my score, and the approach had been in problem solving, recovering from failure, and expansion. I went on to study psychology because I really wanted to understand how the mind works. I thought I was strange.
I wanted to assert that a growth mindset is a necessary, but not sufficient, contributor to learning and development - but it's far more complex than that. We are organic systems with emergent properties. Much of our growth happens naturally through experience, regardless of mindset. There are so many factors involved, mindset being one of many, and with so much attention on one contributor to growth we risk not seeing all the nuance. The human spirit, our striving and our upwards trajectory of growth is fascinating, complex, and defies simple explanations.
What we need to ask and find an answer to is why we have maintained 30% kids who leave school as illiterates for decades.
We should find out how Singapore has reduced the percentage of dyslexics to 3.5% while the rest of the world has between 10 to 20%.
What’s the definition of growth mindset?
I try to be current and evidence-based and this is one more example of why we have to be current and knowledgeable when we open our mouths. My son teaches in Marin County at a private high school and there are printouts about growth mindset on the wall of every classroom. Wow.
Thanks Scott this is awesome. I am happy to be following you after just completing a MAPP in the UK and having a strong interest in whole wellbeing, purpose in life and SA. I love how you highlight the nuances which is refreshing, and the overviews on the research is very helpful. I’ll sign up now to support you :)
"How many of us are truly open to new experiences and are courageous in pursuing challenging activities that make us feel alive and that make us feel like we are contributing to the actualization of our most creative potential?" I'd guess a lot of people who read Mindset feel that way. That book changed my life more than any other.
While I've always been optimistic, it made me realize that I'd had a fixed mindset about things I'd never even tried. Ever since, I've been much more open to trying new things, not expecting to be the best, but to see what I am made of.