Mindsets: Growth vs. Fixed

In this podcast found in iTunes, Carol is discussing the differences between children and adults with different mindsets. She talks about three different groups: kids in school, racing drivers, and businesses/managers. It's an interesting video that makes you think a little.

When she discusses kids in school, she mentioned how some believe that basic intelligence is a fixed trade which makes people like her who do research very concerned. She says that kids who believe that ask themselves "Will I look smart?" and they base activities on whether intelligence will be shown. Others think intelligence can be developed through studying and education. A study was done where they developed an eight-session workshop. 1/2 of the kids got study skills and a growth mindset, and the other 1/2 had just study skills. The results showed that the grades declined in the group with just study skills. Teachers could pick out the growth mindset group.

She also mentioned racing drivers. She researched to see if drivers can benefit from growth mindset. She talks about how races last for hours, and mistakes are inevitable. She says the difference with drivers who win and who lose is what they do with those mistakes. Drivers with a growth mindset are able to enter the zone and stay in the zone.

For businesses, she says flexibility of a growth mindset is essential to success. People need to admit mistakes and overcome them because they can't keep up with the changing world if they can't grow and learn. She feels that a person cannot be a good manager if he/she does not have a growth mindset. She says that some are curious to learn and some just want to feel smart.

I think it was an interesting podcast in the sense that it talks about something you wouldn't normally think about. As a teacher, it makes me realize I should try and make sure all of my students will have a growth mindset because you never really stop learning. Kids should want to learn and be interested in learning more.