Carol Dweck’s Mindset

Theory
LESSON 1
Carol Dweck’s Mindset Theory

Learning Objective:
 Understand the effects of learning on development using Carol Dweck’s Mindset
Theory,
 a. fixed mindset
 b. growth mindset
 c. ability and effort
Carol Dweck’s Mindset Theory - Background

 Over 30 years ago, Carol Dweck and her colleagues became interested in students'
attitudes about failure.
 They noticed that some students rebounded while other students seemed devastated by
even the smallest setbacks.
 After studying the behavior of thousands of children, Dr. Dweck coined the terms fixed
mindset and growth mindset to describe the underlying beliefs people have about learning
and intelligence.
 When students believe they can get smarter, they understand that effort makes them
stronger. Therefore they put in extra time and effort, and that leads to higher
achievement.
Definitions

 Mindset – A set of beliefs someone has that guides how someone responds to or interprets a situation
 Fixed Mindset – Believing your abilities are fixed and unchangeable
 Growth Mindset – Believing practice and effort can improve your abilities
 Ability – What someone can do.
 Effort – When you try and do better using determination
Growth Mindset test!
So what mindset are you…..?
What mindset is Claire?

 Claire did not do as well as she wanted to in her biology test, but her teacher praises her
for working hard and trying her best.

 Claire feels more confident about her learning and works harder for her next test. She
achieves a better mark on her second test and her teacher praises her for excellent effort.
Why did the teacher praise Claire’s effort?
Lets train our brain’s to be more positive 
Your turn…..BE POSITIVE!
 Finally….Do you know the difference
Let’s put it to the test…...
Experimental Evidence that supports
growth mindset (Ao3 marks)

One of Dweck’s experiments (1998) – Praising student ability -> fixed mindset + hard coping with setbacks
+ Praising EFFORT -> growth mindset + willing to struggle

Another of Dweck’s experiments (2012) + Low achieving students + growth mindset did better than
control group who weren’t taught growth mindset
 Homework – using Strengths Weaknesses

the sheet I have Has practical Applications – Lacks Validity - Artificial settings
given you, draw this Teachers/Parents can use it to focus on Experiments -> unrealistic -> doesn’t
praising EFFORT (not ability). represent real life.
table into your books
and complete it. Do
NOT copy and paste. Positive Theory  Ignores things – too much focus on
Shows that people can change! effort + praise
In your OWN words,
Examples:
make notes on bad teaching
strengths and Feedback
weaknesses.
Evidence that supports it
Due next week
Yeager & Dweck (2012)
Sunday. Growth mindset let to better performance
in school.
Evidence supports it + Has Validity
Gunderson (2013) Used NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT so not artificial
Dweck’s Mindset Theory Evaluation
Homework – using Strengths Weaknesses

the sheet I have Has practical Applications – Lacks Validity - Artificial settings
given you, stick this Teachers/Parents can use it to focus on Experiments are unrealistic -> doesn’t
praising _______ and not ability. represent real life.
table into your books
and complete it..
Positive Theory  Ignores things – too much focus on
Shows that people can change! effort + praise
Examples:
bad teaching
Feedback
Dweck’s Evidence that supports it
Yeager & Dweck (2012)
Mindset Growth mindset let to better performance
in school.
Theory- Evidence supports it + Has Validity

Evaluation Gunderson (2013) Used NATURAL

ENVIRONMENT so not artificial
Dweck’s Mindset Theory Evaluation

Learning Objective
Evaluate Carol Dweck’s Mindset Theory on the effects of learning on development.
 Dweck’s Mindset theory recap Apply it!
 When marking Harry’s and Aisha’s books, Ms. Honey comments as well as
gives marks. Her comments to Harry whose marks are low, include ‘you do
not write well’. Comments to Aisha, who’s marks are high, include ‘you are
very good at writing essays’.
 1) Using Dweck’s theory, explain the possible mindset of the teacher.

 2) State one comment for Harry and one comment for Aisha to illustrate
the opposite mindset.
Activity

 You will be split into two groups

 One will evaluate the strengths of Dweck’s Mindset Theory
 One group will evaluate the weaknesses of Dweck’s Mindset theory.