Growth Mindset vs. Optimal Performance

In this podcast, Professor Carol Dweck talks about how certain students think their intelligence is shown. Some thought that their intelligence was shown by their performance. Others thought their intelligence was developed over their lifespan. To see which group was correct, they were sent to two different workshops.

One group was sent to a study skills growth workshop. The other was sent to a growth mindset workshop. The students in the study skills workshop did not do well. They were not motivated. The students that were sent to the growth mindset workshop did great. They were taught to apply the skills learned to their schoolwork.

So growth mindset was proven to work a lot better than optimal performance. Professor Dweck went on to say, "you can't be a good manager without growth mindset." This concept, according to the professor, is a much needed key to being successful in our careers. I would definitely apply this in my classroom. It would help the students become more motivated in their studies and is something they can take with them when they enter the workforce.

iTunes/University/Stanford