Development - Dweck's Mindset Theory

Question 1

Dweck’s Mindset theory

Answer 1

1. Suggests that children who think they can improve will continue to put in effort whereas those who think they do not have a particular ability tend to stop trying.
2. Believes that children with a fixed mindset can change into a growth mindset

Question 2

Praising

Answer 2

1. Dweck believes that it is better to praise children for effort as they then believe they can achieve something and so they carry on trying.
2. Praising a child’s ability may lead to them thinking ability is fixed at birth

Question 3

Key points of Dweck’s mindset theory

Answer 3

1. Children develop a fixed mindset about a particular ability they have.
2. A fixed mindset stops you from improving and leads to giving up when its hard.
3. We can have both fixed and growth mindsets about different things.
4. Teachers can use growth mindset to help a child improve

Question 4

What is the meaning of mindset?

Answer 4

Mindset is the set of beliefs we all have about our ability to succeed.

Question 5

Tom does not do well at school because he does not try anything new.
Does Tom have a fixed or growth mindset?

Answer 5

Fixed mindset

Question 6

Kelly now reads better having asked her mother to help her to practise.
Does Kelly have a fixed or growth mindset?

Answer 6

Growth mindset

Question 7

Fiona felt she was not good at Maths because that is what she was told.
Does Fiona have a fixed or growth mindset?

Answer 7

Fixed mindset

Question 8

Strengths of Dweck’s Theory

Answer 8

1. Has practical applications especially for teachers or parents
2. Theory is positive and shows that change is possible which helps society
3. Has sufficient evidence to support mindset theory

Question 9

Weaknesses of Dweck’s Theory

Answer 9

1. Studying mindset, is an experiment and has artificial settings so the results may not represent real life. As such, data may lack validity.
2. Studying the mindset of a child may result in the child becoming the focus if there are problems with progress rather than the quality of what is being taught and how teaching is done.
3. Studies tend to ignore the effects of giving feedback without any judgement about the child or their ability.
4. Lacks control

Question 10

Fixed Mindset

Answer 10

1. Belief that abilities are unchangeable.
2. Children develop a fixed mindset about an ability that they do not think they can do.
3. They stop taking challenges.

Question 11

Growth Mindset

Answer 11

1. Belief that abilities are changeable.
2. A growth mindset allows for the idea that effort and process is more important and will eventually lead to success.

Question 12

Ability

Answer 12

what someone can do, such as maths ability.

Question 13

Effort

Answer 13

when you try to do better using determination