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The research promoting a growth mindset hasn't proven to be nearly as robust as many had hoped. It's starting to look like there's a very real possibility it's
by xiaoma 11y ago
The research promoting a growth mindset hasn't proven to be nearly as robust as many had hoped. It's starting to look like there's a very real possibility it's spread so far merely because it's something people want to be true.
Psychology research has had a pretty dismal track record in terms of reproducibility (http://www.vox.com/2015/8/27/9216383/irreproducibility-research http://www.vox.com/2015/8/27/9216383/irreproducibility-resea...) and the growth mindset dogma in particular has been facing more and more robust criticism. Carol Dweck's work is far from the final word on the matter that this blog post portrays it to be.
http://slatestarcodex.com/2015/04/08/no-clarity-around-growth-mindset-yet/ http://slatestarcodex.com/2015/04/08/no-clarity-around-growt...
http://www.amren.com/news/2014/04/yes-iq-really-matters/ http://www.amren.com/news/2014/04/yes-iq-really-matters/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intelligence-That-Matters-Stuart-Ritchie/dp/1444791877/ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intelligence-That-Matters-Stuart-Rit...
Ironically, focus on a growth mindset may actually distract people from doing things that actually do have reproducible research showing they lead to more mental horsepower (e.g. regular aerobic exercise).
- loupeabody 11y agoFwiw, Carol Dweck recently wrote about how the surge of interest in and promotion of a growth mindset approach to teaching and learning came with false positives [0] [0] http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/09/23/carol-dweck-revisits-the-growth-mindset.html http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/09/23/carol-dweck-rev...
- tbrownaw 11y agoYep, saw that go by earlier. It's not working as well as advertised, which obviously means everyone's doing it wrong. o_O
- KurtMueller 11y ago> Ironically, focus on a growth mindset may actually distract people from doing things that actually do have reproducible research showing they lead to more mental horsepower (e.g. regular aerobic exercise). Can you point me to you resources regarding research-backed activities/exercises? Thanks!
- xiaoma 11y agohttps://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=google+scholar+exercise+neurogenesis https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=google+scholar+exercise...
- JamesBarney 11y agoThere are a lot of links in the parent's comment. But check out http://slatestarcodex.com/2015/04/08/no-clarity-around-growth-mindset-yet/ http://slatestarcodex.com/2015/04/08/no-clarity-around-growt... I just read it, and highly recommend it. If you're interested in someone putting forth a very thoughtful critique of growth mindset you will find it there. P.S. He's also a great writer. Reading him reminds me of reading Kalzumeus. Just a treat :)
- henrik_w 11y agoAnother critique of the growth mindset: http://www.salon.com/2015/08/16/the_education_fad_thats_hurting_our_kids_what_you_need_to_know_about_growth_mindset_theory_and_the_harmful_lessons_it_imparts/ http://www.salon.com/2015/08/16/the_education_fad_thats_hurt...
- tracker1 11y agoI do strongly feel that people have varying natural aptitudes. Some types of problems or challenges will come easier to some than others... I think the key is not being afraid to lose/fail. To get back up, dust yourself off and keep going. There's also knowing when something really isn't right for you... Some people really can't grasp certain types of concepts essential for certain jobs... Given, these are mostly outliers, they do exist. Just the same, drive and effort count for more in life in terms of actual results than anything else, next in line probably being chance/luck.
- collyw 11y agoProgramming is one place where I think some people just won't get it no matter how much drive. I studied information technology during the dot com boom (graduated in the bust). My course started with a four week intensive Java course with an exam at the end. People who failed at the exam were not excluded from taking the course but were advised against it. A few of them stayed on, but they really struggled.