Growth mindset theory, developed by Carol Dweck, proposes that people hold implicit theories about the nature of their abilities. Those with a fixed mindset believe abilities are innate and unchangeable — you either have talent or you do not. Those with a growth mindset believe abilities can be developed through effort, effective strategies, and learning from mistakes. These beliefs create different psychological worlds: fixed mindset orients people toward proving their ability and avoiding failure, while growth mindset orients them toward learning and embracing challenges.
Research Evidence
Research shows that mindset beliefs predict academic achievement, persistence in the face of difficulty, response to failure, and willingness to take on challenges. Students with growth mindsets show more adaptive responses to setbacks, viewing them as learning opportunities rather than evidence of inadequacy. Brain imaging studies show that growth mindset is associated with greater attention to corrective feedback (larger error-related negativity ERPs) and more effective error processing.
Growth mindset interventions have shown mixed results in large-scale replications. While some studies show meaningful effects (particularly for students facing adversity or academic risk), others show small or null effects. Critics argue that the original effect sizes were overestimated, that mindset is just one of many factors affecting achievement, and that "growth mindset" messaging can become simplistic if it reduces to "just try harder" without addressing structural barriers, ineffective strategies, or genuine skill deficits. The most effective interventions combine mindset messages with concrete strategy instruction.
Broader Applications
Mindset research extends beyond academics to athletics, business leadership, parenting, and interpersonal relationships. The praise research shows that praising effort and strategy ("you worked hard on this") promotes growth mindset, while praising ability ("you're so smart") promotes fixed mindset. Teachers' and parents' own mindsets influence the feedback they provide and the learning environments they create.