Statements 1 and 3 suggest a fixed mindset, while 2 (in particular) and 4 indicate you have a growth mindset. If you have kids in school, read parenting articles, or work in education, you’ve most definitely heard the buzzword –“growth mindset”. Other education and psychology researchers have expressed worry that "mindset" has simply become another aspect to be assessed and graded in children; Matt O'Leary, an education lecturer at Birmingham City University, tweeted that it was "farcical" that his six-year-old daughter was being graded on her attitude towards learning. David James, professor of social sciences at Cardiff University and editor of the British Journal of Sociology of Education, says "it's great to dwell on the fact that intelligence is not fundamentally genetic and unchangeable", but he believes the limitations of mindset outweigh its uses: "It individualises the failure–'they couldn't change the way they think, so that's why they failed'." James notes that a study in 2013 showed no statistically significant effect of mindset theory. [ clarification needed] [23]

In a fixed mindset students believe their basic abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. They have a certain amount and that's that, and then their goal becomes to look smart all the time and never look dumb. In a growth mindset students understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. They don't necessarily think everyone's the same or anyone can be Einstein, but they believe everyone can get smarter if they work at it. [13] Group settings can become powerful opportunities to challenge your entrenched beliefs and views. Embrace the joy of being wrongThe research-validated Mindset Assessment at Mindset Works identifies elements of your mindset that are fixed and helps you to develop strategies to move toward growth. In his book Think Again, Adam Grant (2021) encourages readers to escape ‘echo chambers’ where everyone agrees with you. Instead, challenge your mindset by seeking out people who think differently.

Adopting a growth mindset means more than saying it’s a great outlook to have. Organizations, in particular, need to encourage staff to take appropriate risks, support collaboration over competition, and facilitate learning and development.APS Staff (2020). "Awards 2020: 2020 APS William James Fellow". PsychologicalScience.org . Retrieved June 20, 2023.

Rustin, Susanna (May 10, 2016). "New Test for Growth Mindset". The Guardian . Retrieved November 26, 2019. a b Lüftenegger, Marko; Chen, Jason A. (April 2017). "Conceptual Issues and Assessment of Implicit Theories". Zeitschrift für Psychologie. 225 (2): 99–106. doi: 10.1027/2151-2604/a000286. ISSN 2190-8370 . Retrieved 6 September 2023.When you find out that you are mistaken or need to update your thinking, welcome it and be prepared to laugh at yourself. Focus on improving rather than proving yourself (Grant, 2021). Lisa Trei, "New study yields instructive results on how mindset affects learning", Stanford Report, Feb. 7, 2007 For example, consider a romantic relationship, where someone gets an inviting text from an ex. Take different mindset positions and reflect on how you might respond. She graduated from Barnard College in 1967, [5] and earned a Ph.D. in psychology from Yale University in 1972. [4] [6] Career and research [ edit ] While effort is essential, it must be productive. Deep engagement in the processes that lead to positive outcomes is vital, such as trying out new strategies, asking for help, and learning from failure.