Growth Mindset” isn’t a new idea. It was formulated almost thirty years ago by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck.
He opined that individuals with a “fixed mindset” believe that their potential is limited by nature--hard-wired if you will.
On the other hand, an individual with a “growth mindset” believes that intelligence is a moving target they can hit with study and hard work.
Students with a "growth mindset" believe intelligence or skill can be improved by effort and experimentation.
They seek challenges, learn from mistakes, and keep faith in themselves in the face of failure.
The concept of “growth mindset” goes a long way toward explaining the following conundrums:
- Why brains and talent don’t always bring success.
- Why brains and talent often stand in the way of success.
- Why praising an individual's natural abilities doesn’t necessarily foster success and might even hinder it.
- Why teaching a simple idea about the brain raises grades.
Here at the RobotsLAB we have seen the positive effects of a “Growth Mindset.”
We believe it is the mindset held by most successful entrepreneurs.
We hope to see the concept accepted in schools throughout the nation, especially where STEM learning is concerned.
Great scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians are made, not born!