Effects of Mother Growth Mind-Set and Perceptions of Child Competence on Involvement in Children's Learning

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 9
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG Poster Session: The Role of Parents, Peers, and Teachers

Abstract

Children’s endorsement of a growth mindset has been shown to predict numerous educational advantages. However, the process through which parents’ perceptions of the child’s ability may affect the role of parents’ mindset in children’s learning is unclear. Participants were 121 children (52% female) ages 9-15 and their mothers. Mothers’ beliefs about their children’s competence at the task were manipulated, and their behavior was then observed while working together with their children on a problem-solving task. Results indicated that mothers who believed their children had performed poorly showed increased involvement and leading behavior, while mothers who believed their children had performed well were less likely to provide their children with the correct answers and showed decreased performance goals and failure emphasis.

Authors

• Pamela Sheffler, University of California - Riverside

• Cecilia Cheung, University of California - Riverside