Mindset: The Psychology of Learning and Achievement

Class Objectives To maximize your success quotient by: Identifying your mindset and making appropriate adjustments. Identifying your mindset and making appropriate adjustments. Practicing strategies that will accurately guide you through challenging circumstances. Practicing strategies that will accurately guide you through challenging circumstances.

What is mindset? Mindset is the way that you think about intelligence and learning. Mindset is the way that you think about intelligence and learning. Renowned psychologist Carol Dweck developed the concept of two distinct mindsets. Renowned psychologist Carol Dweck developed the concept of two distinct mindsets.

Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets A fixed mindset says that basic traits such as intelligence and talent are fixed traits. People spend time documenting talents instead of developing them. A fixed mindset says that basic traits such as intelligence and talent are fixed traits. People spend time documenting talents instead of developing them. A growth mindset says that these basic traits can be developed through dedication and hard work. A growth mindset says that these basic traits can be developed through dedication and hard work.

Module 1: Mindsets

Born SMART….? Born SMART….?

Are we born smart or stupid? Are we born smart or stupid? Is intelligence fixed from birth? Is intelligence fixed from birth? Do we have ‘built-in’ talents as a baby? Do we have ‘built-in’ talents as a baby? Or… do talents, abilities and intelligence itself grow from experience?? Or… do talents, abilities and intelligence itself grow from experience?? What we’ll be looking at

At birth, we can’t WALK or TALK These abilities don’t pop up overnight…. ….. they DEVELOP as we LEARN!! Importance of development

Good at math? Good at acting? Good at science? Good at music? So, are we born…

Was Einstein born a genius?

Was Michael Jordan born slam dunking?

Was Justin born a POPSTAR?

What can we learn about learning from animals?

Ratty intellect… Ratty intellect… BORING Nothing to do in the cage but eat and sleep –No stimulation EXCITING Cage had opportunities for rats to play and interact –Lots of stimulation Lab rats were placed in 2 different environments: Lab rats were placed in 2 different environments:

After a while, the stimulated rats were found to be smarter than the boring rats. Their brains were even HEAVIER than the boring rats. Rat results

What do you think? Are our abilities Are our abilities determined from determined frombirth?

People have increased their IQ by 30 POINTS With the right mindset people can achieve more than an IQ test might reveal.

Two beliefs about intelligence Two beliefs about intelligence

Fixed mindset Believes: Intelligence is CARVED IN STONE Scores in a test MEASURE POTENTIAL Intelligent people shouldn’t have to WORK HARD Failure reflects a LACK of INTELLIGENCE

Growth mindset Believes: Intelligence is MALLEABLE Learning requires HARD WORK and EFFORT ALL individuals CAN LEARN and improve We CANNOT MEASURE a person’s POTENTIAL

Thinking about mindset OBSERVE the mindset you adopt OBSERVE the mindset you adopt You can CHOOSE to adopt a growth mindset You can CHOOSE to adopt a growth mindset When you meet challenges REMIND yourself about the growth mindset When you meet challenges REMIND yourself about the growth mindset

Fixed Mindsets Students with fixed mindsets believe that they are either smart or they are not. Students with fixed mindsets believe that they are either smart or they are not. Students with a fixed mindset believe the either have “it” or they don’t. Students with a fixed mindset believe the either have “it” or they don’t. Students with a fixed mindset are more likely to give up in the face of adversity. Students with a fixed mindset are more likely to give up in the face of adversity.

Growth Mindsets S tudents with growth mindsets believe that hard work is just as important has being “smart.” S tudents with growth mindsets believe that hard work is just as important has being “smart.” Students with a growth mindset will hunker down, work harder, look for help, and find new strategies. Students with a growth mindset will hunker down, work harder, look for help, and find new strategies. Students with growth mindsets believe that diligence pays off. Students with growth mindsets believe that diligence pays off. Students with a growth mindset believe they will eventually master the adversity. Students with a growth mindset believe they will eventually master the adversity.

Growth Mindsets Students with growth mindsets possess a resilience that is necessary for great achievement. Students with growth mindsets possess a resilience that is necessary for great achievement. Teaching a growth mindset promotes motivation and creativity. Teaching a growth mindset promotes motivation and creativity.

Growth Mindsets These kids have a growth mindset! These kids have a growth mindset!kids

Which mindset do you have? With which of the following statements do you most agree? With which of the following statements do you most agree?

Which mindset do you have? 1. You have a certain amount of intelligence and there is nothing that you can do about it, or You can significantly change You can significantly change your intelligence? your intelligence?

Which mindset do you have? You have a certain amount of talent or skill and there is nothing that you or skill and there is nothing that you can do about it, can do about it,or You can significantly change your You can significantly change your level of talent or skill? level of talent or skill?

Which mindset do you have? If you agree with the first statements, you have a fixed mindset. If you agree with the first statements, you have a fixed mindset. If you agree with the second statements, you have a growth mindset. If you agree with the second statements, you have a growth mindset. For the full mindset quiz, go to For the full mindset quiz, go to

Module 2: The Brain

Here’s what we know about the brain... Brain Video Brain Video Brain Video Brain Video

The brain weighs 1,300 – 1,400 grams It is made up of 100 Billion Neurons Forming different areas called Lobes Facts about the brain…

Frontal Lobe Parietal Lobe Temporal Lobe Occipital Lobe

Emotion Emotion Reasoning Reasoning Speech Speech Motion Motion Planning Planning Problem solving Problem solving The Frontal lobe is used for:

Touch Touch Pressure Pressure Temperature Temperature Pain Pain The Parietal lobe is used in:

Hearing Hearing& Memory Memory The Temporal lobe is used for… The Temporal lobe is used for:

Vision We use this lobe to process what we see We use this lobe to process what we see The Occipital lobe is used for:

The different parts of the brain let us do things think things remember things All of the lobes, and all their functions, are important in everyday life.

A homunculus is used to describe the relative amount of space our body parts occupy in the brain. A homunculus is used to describe the relative amount of space our body parts occupy in the brain. In a model of motor functions, some parts are much bigger because we use them much more, or with more accuracy. In a model of motor functions, some parts are much bigger because we use them much more, or with more accuracy. Homunculus

The more we use a part of our body, the more space our brain needs to control or interpret it. The more we use a part of our body, the more space our brain needs to control or interpret it. In fact, by learning the brain may have to change the space it uses to account for new abilities. In fact, by learning the brain may have to change the space it uses to account for new abilities. Brain space…

People who play music have been found to have auditory centres that are BIGGER than normal. People who play music have been found to have auditory centres that are BIGGER than normal. The ‘sound’ area of their brain grew through practicing their music. The ‘sound’ area of their brain grew through practicing their music. Sound centre

Learning helps our neurons GROW. The more we learn, the more connections neurons make. The more we learn, the more connections neurons make.

… through lots and lots of practice. People with large auditory areas in their brain grew lots more neuron connections in the sound area…

What about your brain? What areas do you think are bigger in your brain than in other people’s? What areas would you like to get even bigger and stronger?

Module 3: ‘Fail your way to success’

"he lacked imagination and had no good ideas” In school Robin Williams was voted… ‘‘least likely to succeed’’ Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because…

Different ways people view failure Some people view it as a learning opportunity. They value learning. While others view it as confirmation that they are not smart.

Why do people have different views of failure? Because they have different goals…. Some people create learning goals. Some people create learning goals. Others create performance goals. Others create performance goals.

a test, a sport, a drawing – - What goal did you have? - Did you want to show a teacher how clever you were ? - Was it a performance goal? - What would you do next time this happens? Think of a time when you didn’t enjoy doing something…

What are some benefits of having learning goals?

Let’s play… Brainology Popcorn Brainology Popcorn

Module 4: ‘How people cope with failure’

Response to failure SOME PEOPLE… BLAME themselves, Feel DEPRESSED and GIVE UP trying OTHERS… Don’t think that they are failing, so BLAME NO ONE KEEP GOING and Remain HOPEFUL that they will get there

Helpless response Unmotivated Unmotivated Lack of perseverance Lack of perseverance Decreased enjoyment Decreased enjoyment Depressed Depressed Anxious Anxious Responsible for the setback Responsible for the setback Disengaged and avoid getting involved with studying Disengaged and avoid getting involved with studying

Mastery response View setback as a challenge View setback as a challenge Try harder Try harder Look for other ways to do things Look for other ways to do things Factor in many different points Factor in many different points Engage with the problem ? Engage with the problem ?

50/50 People display one or the other response. In some areas they may react with a mastery response and in others a helpless response.

Brain imaging and response to failure People with a fixed mindset pay attention to how they feel (i.e. stressed, anxious). Those feelings then get in the way of learning.

What are the benefits of displaying a ‘mastery response’ rather than a ‘helpless response’ when confronted with failure?

Looking at these benefits, think about how this applies to your life. Do you view failure as an opportunity to learn and improve?

Michael Jordan’s coach said that there were many more talented people than him…. What made Jordan special? Do you agree that he failed his way to success? failed failed

because they are hard? because they are hard? to avoid failing? to avoid failing? Do you avoid or give up on certain tasks…

think about what you can learn think about what you can learn Next time you get feedback or grades that you didn’t want…

What do you believe about effort? Do you believe that with hard work and effort you can help you to improve? Do you believe that with hard work and effort you can help you to improve?or Do you believe that putting effort in only shows that you were not good at it in the first place? Do you believe that putting effort in only shows that you were not good at it in the first place?

Do you think of this as someone with extraordinary abilities who achieved things with little effort… Do you think of this as someone with extraordinary abilities who achieved things with little effort… Think about your hero…

or as someone who overcame difficulty and kept trying in spite of setbacks? or as someone who overcame difficulty and kept trying in spite of setbacks? Think about your hero…

Find out the tremendous effort that went into their accomplishments Find out the tremendous effort that went into their accomplishments and admire them even more. Now go and find out the truth!

Assignment #1 Research your hero. Find an example of a time when they exhibited a growth mindset (i.e. recovered from a setback). Write a paragraph telling WHO they are, WHY they are your hero, WHAT they overcame, and HOW this can motivate you. Cite your source(s). Research your hero. Find an example of a time when they exhibited a growth mindset (i.e. recovered from a setback). Write a paragraph telling WHO they are, WHY they are your hero, WHAT they overcame, and HOW this can motivate you. Cite your source(s).

Mindset tips Try out new strategies Try out new strategies Find learning information in failure Find learning information in failure Remember marks do not show your potential - they only show how you are doing right NOW. Remember marks do not show your potential - they only show how you are doing right NOW. If you are having difficulties finding new strategies or learning information ask someone who could help you. If you are having difficulties finding new strategies or learning information ask someone who could help you.

Module 5: Mindset and success

2 Mindsets recap: Fixed mindset Belief that ability is fixed Belief that ability is fixed People are born smart/sporty etc People are born smart/sporty etc Depressed after failure Depressed after failure Put in less effort Put in less effort Don’t try new strategies Don’t try new strategies Growth mindset Belief that people can grow and develop Belief that people can grow and develop See failure/setback as a learning opportunity See failure/setback as a learning opportunity Put in effort and persist Put in effort and persist Try alternative routes to success Try alternative routes to success

Discuss the benefits of a growth mindset.

Picture the brain forming new connections as you meet the challenge and learn. Keep on going…

Is there something in your past which you think measured you? Essay Essay Exam Exam Music lesson Music lesson Maths homework Maths homework Being rejected? Being rejected? Now focus on that thing and put it in the growth mindset perspective…

What did you learn from this experience?

Assignment #2 Think about a time when you failed at something. Think about a time when you failed at something. Write about it. Write about it. Include insights about your mindset at the time and how you might approach it with a different mindset (now that you know). Include insights about your mindset at the time and how you might approach it with a different mindset (now that you know).

Is there something that you always wanted to do but were afraid that you weren’t good at it? Make a plan and do it.

ArtScienceMusic SingingActing Maths History Football Writing ComputingGamingPolitics

People are born with a love of learning. A fixed mindset can undo this.

Mindset tips Create learning goals Create learning goals Make plans Make plans Imagine the brain making new connections each time you learn something Imagine the brain making new connections each time you learn something Concentrate on believing that you can Concentrate on believing that you can When you meet challenges, setbacks or adversity ask yourself ‘what can I learn from this?’ When you meet challenges, setbacks or adversity ask yourself ‘what can I learn from this?’ Tell other people about your growth mindset Tell other people about your growth mindset What else have you come up with………? What else have you come up with………?

Fixed mindset If people are either smart or not smart, then failure means that people are not clever… If people are either smart or not smart, then failure means that people are not clever… Even though they could learn they GIVE UP Even though they could learn they GIVE UP They feel DEPRESSED and ANXIOUS They feel DEPRESSED and ANXIOUS Don’t persevere or put effort in Don’t persevere or put effort in

Growth mindset Failure is an opportunity to learn and to try out new strategies Failure is an opportunity to learn and to try out new strategies Failure is a chance to look for learning information and to improve performance Failure is a chance to look for learning information and to improve performance Marks or grades do not measure a persons potential Marks or grades do not measure a persons potential Don’t see setback as a failure Don’t see setback as a failure

People with growth mindsets say… say…

Let’s try something…

Assignment #3 Think about a goal that you have- either short or long term. Think about a goal that you have- either short or long term. Write about this goal and what type of mindset you must have to accomplish this goal. Using what you learn this week, how will you react to setbacks? Write about this goal and what type of mindset you must have to accomplish this goal. Using what you learn this week, how will you react to setbacks?