Dweck's mindset thoery and the effects of learning on development Flashcards
What is meant by ‘mindset’?
A set of beliefs and how people think.
Who is the psychologist behind mindset theory?
Dweck
What is meant by a fixed mindset?
Believing your abilities are fixed and unchangeable.
What is meant by a growth mindset?
Believing practice and effort can improve your abilities.
According to Dweck, how should we praise children?
Praise children by effort, as they can achieve something and so they carry on trying.
What is a possible consequence of a child being praised for being good at something, according to Dweck?
They may develop a fixed mindset.
How might a child with a fixed mindset behave when faced with something challenging?
A child with a fixed mindset will find it hard to face something challenging as their mind is fixed as they are not easily encouraged to improve.
How might a teacher with a fixed mindset see a child who is struggling?
A teacher with a fixed mindset can see children as lacking a particular ability.
How might a teacher with a growth mindset see a child who is struggling?
Can see a child can improve with perserveance.
What did Yeaeger and Dweck’s study of more than 1500 students find?
Praising students’ ability led them to a fixed mindset and they were vulnerable when faced with issues to deal with.
What are the strengths of Dweck’s mindset theory?
- It has practical applications as teachers or parents can focus on praising effort, rather than ability in order to encourage children.
- The theory is positive and it shows that change is possible which helps society.
What are the weaknesses of Dweck’s mindset theory?
- Many of the studies that look into mindset have been experiments and so have artificial settings.
- Studying the mindset of a child may result in the child becoming the focus- i.e. it may ‘blame’ them for their lack of progress.
