Dweck's mindset theory, learning styles and Willingham

Overview

Fixed and growth mindsets, praise for effort, self-efficacy beliefs, verbalisers and visualisers, and Willingham's criticism of learning styles.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What does Dweck's mindset theory claim?

   Model answer

   Dweck claimed that people's beliefs about their own ability affect how they learn. Learners hold either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset, which shapes their effort and success.

2. 2

   What is a fixed mindset?

   Model answer

   A fixed mindset is the belief that intelligence and ability are set at birth and cannot be changed. Learners with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges and give up easily.

3. 3

   What is a growth mindset?

   Model answer

   A growth mindset is the belief that ability can be developed through effort, practice and good strategies. Learners with a growth mindset see mistakes as chances to improve.

4. 4

   A student gets a low mark and says, 'I'm just no good at maths, so there's no point trying.' Which mindset does this show?

   Model answer

   The student is showing a fixed mindset, because they believe their maths ability cannot change.

5. 5

   According to Dweck, what kind of praise encourages a growth mindset?

   Model answer

   Praise for effort, strategies and progress encourages a growth mindset. Praise for being clever or talented tends to encourage a fixed mindset.

6. 6

   What did Mueller and Dweck find when they praised children for either intelligence or effort?

   Model answer

   Children praised for intelligence later chose easier tasks and coped worse with failure. Children praised for effort chose harder tasks and persisted more.

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