Identifying False Growth Mind-Sets in Adults and Implications for Motivation and Parenting

• In Event: Advances in Research on Mind-Set Theory: A Focus on the Role of Contextual Factors

Abstract

Believing that ability can change, a growth mindset, is associated with many positive outcomes. However, growing evidence suggests the theoretical benefits of a growth mindset are being undercut by individuals who reportedly agree with growth mindset, but do not act accordingly. We conducted two studies to identify adults with a false growth mindset using profile-centered analyses and two novel mindset measures. We identified groups of adults who appear to hold a false growth mindset, agreeing with traditional growth mindset measures but disagreeing with measures about the role of effort and the flexibility of ability. On challenge seeking and parenting beliefs and practices measures, the false growth mindset group more resembled the fixed mindset group than groups with consistent growth mindsets.

Authors

• Michael M. Barger, University of Georgia - Athens

• Yu Xiong, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign