According to Carol Dweck, in her 2016 book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, a growth mindset is a belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, learning, and perseverance. This is contrasted with the fixed mindset, which is the belief that one’s abilities, intelligence, and talents are fixed traits that cannot be significantly changed or improved (i.e., the student who states, “I am just bad at math. I will never get it”). Dweck explores the concepts of fixed and growth mindsets and how each impacts a learner’s ability to succeed in a learning environment, arguing that “the great teachers believe in the growth of the intellect and talent, and they are fascinated with the process of learning.” As instructors plan course materials such as syllabi, assessments, and assignments, it is crucial to infuse each course element with growth mindset language so that students can develop and hone their own growth mindset skills and strategies.
Individuals with a fixed mindset tend to believe that their skills and qualities are predetermined and cannot be substantially altered through effort or learning whereas those showing a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities for growth, embrace setbacks as learning experiences, and believe that their abilities can improve over time. Learners with a growth mindset are more likely to take on new challenges, persist in the face of obstacles, and seek out opportunities for self-improvement.
The chart below summarizes some of the key differences between a growth and a fixed mindset.
According to Dweck, individuals with a growth mindset believe that their abilities can be cultivated and developed through hard work, effective strategies, and feedback. They understand that intelligence and talents are not fixed traits but can be enhanced through a process of learning, practice, and resilience.
Adopting a growth mindset can have a significant impact on personal and professional success. By believing that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication, individuals are more likely to embrace challenges, persist through obstacles, and learn from feedback. In contrast, a fixed mindset can limit personal and professional growth by avoiding challenges and risks, giving up easily, and ignoring feedback. The materials below are practical advice and resources for faculty to highlight growth mindset principles and help students develop a growth mindset.
Tool Kit Resources
Cultivating a growth mindset is a particularly important quality for college students, but not all students come equipped with this mindset. Thus, it is critical for instructors to demonstrate the key values of a growth mindset in classroom practice and in their syllabi. There are many ways that instructors can highlight the components of a growth mindset in their syllabus. First, instructors may note that the content of the course …
Feedback is an important aspect of promoting a growth mindset. By providing and receiving constructive feedback, learners and instructors can identify areas for improvement and underscore a classroom culture that underscores the growth mindset. Feedback that is constructive, honest, and focused on improvement helps establish high standards as well as a nurturing atmosphere for learners. Growth-minded instructors will provide honest assessments of student work whilst providing the tools needed to …
There are numerous occasions for instructors to underscore the growth mindset sensibility in all that they accomplish throughout the semester. While growth mindset language should be included in the syllabus (as explored in additional resources in this toolkit) instructors can also highlight growth mindset concepts during their very first course sessions as they map out the semester to come. At the beginning of the course, professors can explain the concept …
Additional Resources about Mindsets and Learning
Dweck, Carol S. (2016). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Updated edition Ballantine Books Trade Paperback ed., Ballantine Books, Permalink: https://dalnet-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/d9s986/01DAL_UDM_ALMA2193729970003254 Here, Dweck explores the concept of mindset and its impact on personal and professional development. Dweck argues that individuals can possess either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset, and the latter is crucial for achieving long-term success. By embracing a growth mindset, …