The Building Blocks of Mindset

Fixed or Growth: Take the test

Our beliefs about self, others, and our world shape who we are. The foundational concepts behind mindset can either build us up (Growth) or break us down (Fixed). Below are some mindset development keys:

1. Self-consciousness

Individuals who are high in self-consciousness are more likely to feel the effects of fixed mindset beliefs, to be shy and more concerned with others’ judgment. Even when heightened, self-consciousness alone has no effect on mindset. Coupled with identification, the two make an individual vulnerable to stereotype identification, which leads us to number two…

2. Identification

Stereotype effects depend on identity. If I am a male who does not exhibit “stereotypical male” traits, hence a low gender-ID male, I am more likely to fall victim to the fixed mindset of positive gender stereotyping (i.e. “men or women do better on this test” or “my school’s white students do better in school”). Stereotypes have been

shown tocause a choking response in males and females who are high in self-consciousness and low in gender-identification. Negative beliefs of self-efficacy bring on experiences of pressure and a fight, flight or freeze physiological response, which causes choking. Similarly, how central race is to a person’s identity affects how likely the individual is to be affected by stereotypes. A fixed mindset causes an individual to view a challenge as a threat to self, rather than a learning experience, opening the door for a psychomotor choking response.

Fear not, for mindset is developed over time, with work. Think of it like doing weight training for your brain! Mindsets can change and Grit is a major factor in mindset development. There are two significant factors that affect how likely a person is to push through setbacks to achieve, or how “gritty” an individual is…

1. Constancy of Interest

How much does a task or goal matter to you? If something matters more to you, on an intrinsic motivational level, you’re more likely to stick with it for longer periods of time. Of course, research has shown that it takes years of deep practice to master a skill, so, naturally, it makes sense that people are more likely to pursue mastery in something personally meaningful to them. Simply put: PASSION MATTERS! Find something you are passionate about and then…

2. Persistence of effort

WORK FOR IT! How much are you willing to sacrifice now for future benefit? Persistence + Passion = GRIT. Grittier individuals are more likely to utilize Growth Mindset, viewing challenge and criticism as learning opportunities. You either win or you learn! Dig into a personally meaningful challenge this week – crack open that book you’ve been meaning to read. Foster your passion to tap into your growth potential! How gritty are you? Take the test.

Ready… Set… GROW!

Jake Chaplin is Boston University Master’s candidate (Counseling, Sport Psychology) working towards his CMPC-AASP and LMHC certifications, with a mindful approach to mental performance counseling, consulting and positive youth development.

References

Duckworth, A., & Quinn, P. (2009). Development and validation of the short grit scale (Grit–S). Journal of

Personality Assessment, 91(2), p. 166-174.

Tagler, M. (2012). Choking under the pressure of a positive stereotype: Gender identification

and self-consciousness moderate men's math test performance. The Journal of Social Psychology,152(4), 401-416.

Okeke, N., Howard, L., Kurtz-Costes, B., & Rowley, S. (2009). Academic race stereotypes, academic self-concept, and racial centrality in African American youth. Journal of

Black Psychology,35(3), 366-387.

Dweck, C. (2008). Mindset: The new psychology of success (Ballantine books trade paperback ed.). New

York: Ballantine Books.

Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance (First Scribner hardcover ed.). New

York, NY: Scribner.