Division C Graduate Student Committee. New Directions: Mind-Set—Theory, Practice, and Policy

Session Type: Invited Session

Abstract

Research on Mindsets—individuals’ beliefs about the nature of intelligence—has grown exponentially in recent years. In this session, the panel will discuss two projects to illustrate the diversity of new directions in Mindset research, as well as innovative techniques being employed. The presentation by Dr. Shumow and Dr. Schmidt will discuss their work examining the effects of a science-based classroom intervention designed to impact implicit beliefs about intelligence in 7th and 9th grade students. Their use of mixed-methods, observations, and interviews provides a more comprehensive understanding of Mindsets interventions. The presentation by Dr. Yeager and Dr. Walton will overview several scaled interventions that delivered brief (20-30 minute) mindset messages to adolescents and emerging adults to evaluate effects on academic behaviors. Their work provides novel information by using double-blind, randomized experiments and building upon contemporary social-cognitive theories for development in showing
how social cognitions (i.e., mindsets) can influence contexts of adolescent development.

Sub Unit

• Division C - Learning and Instruction

Chairs

• Ariana Christine Crowther, The University of Texas - Austin

• Benjamin C. Heddy, University of Oklahoma

Speakers

• Lee Shumow, Northern Illinois University

• Jennifer A. Schmidt, Northern Illinois University

• David Scott Yeager, Stanford University

• Gregory Mariotti Walton, Stanford University