Parents’ and Teachers’ Mindsets as Determinants of Students’ Mindsets and Learning Outcomes

• In Event: How Do Context and Socializers Shape Motivational Beliefs Across Theoretical Perspectives?

Abstract

In contrast to a huge body of literature highlighting the crucial role of students’ own mindsets in predicting their motivation and behaviors, relatively less emphasis has been placed on the role of their socializers’ mindsets. Using international data from the Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES), we examined the relationships of parents’ and teachers’ mindsets with 10- and 15-year-old students’ mindsets, test anxiety, persistence, and reading and math achievement. Both parents’ and teachers’ mindsets were found to be significant predictors of students’ mindsets. Parents’ mindsets also positively predicted students’ persistence and reading and math achievement. These findings were generalizable across 10 different cities. Further examination revealed stronger associations between socializers’ mindsets and student outcomes in the older age group.

Authors

• Sungwha Kim, Korea University - Brain and Motivation Research Institute

• Dayeon Jeong, Korea University - Brain and Motivation Research Institute

• Benjamin Nagengast, University of Tübingen

• Mimi Bong, Korea University