Running head: MINDSET AND EDUCATION 1

A Short Response Questions regarding the Subject in the Dweck and Hilton Articles

Which Has to Do with Mindsets and Education

Name

School Affiliation
MINDSET AND EDUCATION 2

A Short Response Questions regarding the Subject in the Dweck and Hilton Articles

Which Has to Do with Mindsets and Education

1. Yes, there was a time I encountered a challenge regarding a fixed mindset. At that particular

time I was going to sit for my final exam in high school. The mindset had been cultivated by

my good performance in previous exams and the praises that I received. The condition boosted

my confidence in my ability to do well in the exam so that I didn’t see the need of putting much

effort in my studies. Nevertheless, the final exam felt like a greater challenge compared to my

ability/intelligence. The possibility of failure creped in making me worry so much about what

my parents, teachers and colleagues would think of me in case I failed.

2. Schools encourage fixed mindsets by use of structures and practices that make students more

concerned about their intelligence making them attach so much value to it thus inhibiting the role

of effort in achievement. These structures, labels and practices include praises, stereotypes,

putting much emphasis on talents (Hulleman & Harackiewicz, 2009). One way of shifting

towards a growth mentality is by praising efforts and dedication towards achievement rather than

their intelligence and ability. The objective can also be achieved by helping the students

understand that talents and gifts don’t just drive people towards success rather effort is required

for this success to be realized.

3. The idea behind learning mindsets is that praising one’s efforts results to more focus on

working hard thus leading to higher levels of achievement. It is incomplete as it ignores the

role of ability in promoting achievement. The best approach is to praise both ability and

effort since they are equally important in improving one’s performance. The notion that

success and failure is a choice is wrong in the sense that it ignores the existence of external

factors such as racism and oppression which may have an impact on a student’s performance.
MINDSET AND EDUCATION 3

Reference

Hulleman, C. S., & Harackiewicz, J. M. (2009). Promoting interest and performance in high

school science classes. Science, 326(5958), 1410-1412.

MINDSET AND EDUCATION 4