Chapter 13: Overcoming Obstacles
Growth Mindset
During your time at university, you will face obstacles and challenges. Maybe you’re taking a really difficult course, or you received a grade that was lower than you expected. How can you move forward?
Everyone encounters setbacks. When this happens, you have a choice of possible responses. Some people respond to setbacks by concluding that they just don’t have the ability to complete the course successfully. Others respond by deciding that the course or instructor is unfair, and blame their setback on an external force beyond their control. These responses are associated with what is called a fixed mindset.
Others respond to setbacks and negative feedback by asking what they can learn from the experience. Their focus is less on achieving a specific grade or result, and more on learning as much as possible from their experiences in university. Individuals with this mindset, which is called a growth mindset, are able to recover from setbacks and to go on to achieve greater success.
How do these two mindsets compare?
Growth mindset |
Fixed mindset |
| Intelligence is not fixed, but it can be developed over time | Intelligence is fixed, and cannot be changed |
| Difficult tasks are worth pursuing | If a task is difficult, it should be discontinued |
| Feedback, even if it offers correction, is beneficial to support future growth | Negative feedback should be avoided or minimized |
A growth mindset is associated with successful learning. Why? The growth mindset principles are supported by what we know about the brain and learning. Adult brains continue to develop over time through learning. Working to master complex material results in the development of additional neural connections. In other words, by learning difficult material, you can actually become smarter. If you believe that you are able to succeed by working hard, you are more able to persevere through the difficult moments in learning, and continue to make progress towards your learning goals. [1] [2]
Try it!
For the following exercise, keep in mind there isn’t one correct answer for each question. Answer based on your own current perspective or opinion about the statement.
Adaptations
This section has been adapted from Growth Mindset Evaluation and Develop a Growth Mindset in University 101: Study, Strategize and Succeed by Megan Robertson, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
References
Paunesku, D., Walton, G. M., Romero, C., Smith, E. N., Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2015). Mind-set interventions are a scalable treatment for academic underachievement. Psychological Science, 26(6), 784–793. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797615571017
Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that personal characteristics can be developed. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 302–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2012.722805
Media Attributions
- Consciousness © Dajana Oroz is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike) license
- Strength © Syme de Leon is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike) license
A way of thinking that causes someone to doubt the possibility of improving at something, and instills a tendency to avoid challenges or other learning opportunities.
A way of thinking that is centered around the belief that growth or improvement within a particular area is possible, and that challenges are worth facing.
