Mindsets+(Fixed+vs.+Growth)

A "mindset" describes our perspective of the world. It describes our morals, assumptions, priorities, and methods. There are many forms of mindsets. It was a political mindset that lead to the Cold War. Collective mindsets gave stregnth to the rebellions in Egypt and Libya; religious mindsets caused the crusades and made Japanese fighters willing kamikazes in World War II. This wiki page will focus on two specific mindsets, growth and fixed. These mindsets are powerful determinates in learning, relationships, and success.

“**It can determine whether you become the person you want to be”**

The idea that you are solely responsible for your success and failure. People with growth mindsets are likely to find motivation in failure and learn from their mistakes. When someone with a growth mindset fails they blame themselves - they think that they didn't work hard enough or made a bad decision. They learn from this experience when they encounter the experience a second time. In the words of J.R.R. Tolkien, "Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens." ( Tolkien, 1954-1974 ) People with a growth mindset will keep working until they succeed.
 * Growth Mindset:**

The idea that external forces, such as genetics, officials, and environmental factors, are responsible for your success and failure. People with a fixed mindset are likely to blame teachers for their academic struggles and parents for their social mistakes. They are likely to take their problems out on other people and this mindset may lead to problems in relationships. People of both mindsets want a positive self-image which leads to the main problems for those with a fixed mindset. In order to "look smart" those with a fixed mindset will avoid challenges and choose challenges they are assured to do well in.
 * Fixed Mindset:**

Although you are likely born with a genetic bias towards one mindset you are not stuck with it. Carol Dweck (2006) described a procedure on how to alter your mindset. If you have a fixed mindset you can turn it into a growth mindset. The first step is to recognize the fact that you have a fixed mindset and to hear the voice of your fixed mindset. If you are terrified of failure and the chance of embarrassment holds you back from taking a risk then you likely have a fixed mindset. It can also be detected by blaming your genetics for failures. If you fail a test you may think "I wish that I were smarter" rather than "I wish I had studied harder." It is then important that you recognize the fact that you have a choice and take action. Whenever you think that you aren't smart enough tell yourself to work harder. Whenever you think you aren't good enough tell yourself to try harder. By practicing a growth mindset you can set yourself up for success and turn every failure into a learning experience.
 * It's A Trap! (Not Really)**

This brings in the idea of nature vs nurture. Ironically, a person with a fixed-mindset could possibly totally dispute this section; saying that the way a child is raised has no impact on how their mindset is. However, in our psychology class we have learned that nearly everything is the result of a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. This section is a closer look at the environmental factors that assist a child in their development of their mindset.
 * Development of Mindsets**

The most significant environmental factor that influences the development of a mindset is the praise a child receives for doing something well. If a child gets a really good grade on a test, a parent could say one of two things as praise. “Wow you are really smart! Great job!” or “Wow all your hard work really paid off! Great job!” The latter praise is shown to have produced a growth-mindset. The child feels like because they worked hard, they were successful, which leads to this thinking in the future. “If I work hard, it will pay off. If I want this result, I can work to get it.” If they fail a test “I should have studied more.” The first praise, telling the child that they did well because they were intelligent, fosters a fixed-mindset. “I’m a smart kid so I did well. I’ll always do well because I am smart.” If they find that they do poorly on a future test, “The teacher did not teach it as well.” They blame external sources. (Dweck)

This raises a question in parenting. You want your child to do well, and you want to compliment them, but what is the limit? It has been proven that those with a growth-mindset are more successful and happier overall. Telling someone they did well because they worked hard is still a great compliment, and improves their confidence as a person. So, as a parent or family member, you should be wary of how you compliment small children since they are so susceptible to suggestion at this stage in their life. media type="youtube" key="TTXrV0_3UjY" height="315" width="560" (Dweck 2010)

**__Quick Facts __** : 40% of students have a growth mindset. 40% of students have a fixed mindset. Intelligence and creativity can be affected by either mindset. A fixed mindset can hold you back from your goals. A growth mindset is __not__ about positive thinking. With a growth mindset you have the ability and brain capacity to learn your entire life. The science behind these mindsets does not disprove people’s unique genetic endowments from birth.


 * Citations**
 * Dweck, C. (2006). // How can you change your mindset? // . Retrieved from http://mindsetonline.com/changeyourmindset/firststeps/index.html
 * Tolkien, J. R. R. (1954-1974). // The lord of the rings // . (3 ed., Vol. 2, p. 281). New York: Ballantine Books.
 * Dweck, C. (Writer) (2010). // Mind in the making : The essential life skills every child needs // [DVD]. Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTXrV0_3UjY&feature=player_embedded
 * RAE-DUPREE, J. (2008, July 8). // If you're open to growth, you tend to grow // . Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/business/06unbox.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1215367351-1CWGY6E8jHL4Dh298eB5WQ
 * Dweck, C. (n.d.). Interview with carol dweck - developing a growth mindset. // Highlights for Parents //, Retrieved from http://www.highlightsparents.com/parenting_perspectives/interview_with_dr_carol_dweck_developing_a_growth_mindset