Dweck's Mindset Theory

Question 1

What is a fixed mindset?

Answer 1

1. AKA entity motivational framework
2. Belief that abilities and traits are fixed at birth
3. Can make people not take on challenges and can lead to depression.

Question 2

What is a growth mindset?

Answer 2

1. AKA incremental motivational framework
2. Belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard-work
3. Challenges are seen as worthwhile, feedback is welcomed, and they are generally more optimistic.

Question 3

What experimental evidence supports this theory?

Answer 3

Yeager and Dweck (2012)

• Low-achieving students who learned to used a growth mindset did better compared to a control group who didn’t
• Use 1500+ students

Question 4

Give a strength of Dweck’s mindset theory.

Answer 4

Has practical applications.

• Teachers/parents can focus on praising effort rather than ability
• Believing people can change leads to better school performance (Yeager and Dweck (2012))

Question 5

Give two weaknesses of this theory/

Answer 5

1. Lacks ecological validity
   - Experiments do not represent real-life scenarios
2. Doesn’t consider effects of feedback that lack judgement focused on the child or their ability.

Question 6

Define mindset.

Answer 6

Set of beliefs about our ability to succeed

Question 7

Evaluate the effect of praise on children.

Answer 7

1. Praised for ability = belief that ability is fixed at birth
2. Praised for effort = belief that ability can be developed
3. Not being praised at all = belief that it is pointless to try hard