Comments on: “Brainset” – Neuroscience Examines Carol Dweck’s Theory

By: Growth Mindset « Positive Psychology Reflections

Growth Mindset « Positive Psychology Reflections — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:49:55 +0000

[…] Check out Nick Hall’s article, Brainset - Neuroscience examines Carol Dweck’s Theory if you want to explore further. […]

By: Dave Shearon

Dave Shearon — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:22:41 +0000

Nice, Nick! Real reporting!

My quick response is based on the suggestion that entity-theorists focus energy on emotional control when given information about an incorrect answer. I would suggest this argues persuasively in favor of low risk opportunities to learn. Some things that might increase engagement for some students — student vs. student competition, for instance — increase risk for others. As risk goes up, so does emotional response. Thus, those students most inclined to respond emotionally will be most hindered in their learning. So, while trying to teach a growth views of learning, I’d recommend schools also seek to minimize experiences that hinder the learning of those that have not yet adopted a growth self-theory.

By: Nicholas Hall

Nicholas Hall — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:14:07 +0000

Hi Inbal,
Good question: “is this characteristic and brain activity inborn and unchanging, or are they changeable and able to be learned?”
This is just why I asked the question at the end for exercises you think could encourage growth mind set. Dweck believes that it is changeable and able to be learned. I would also add that considering how much plasticity we see in our brains, how greatly they adapt to trauma and how easily they change to subtle emotional or mental stimuli, I believe that we can “take our brains into our own hands” and change how we think and react to stimuli to ultimately change how we think, feel, and behave.
Thanks,
Nick

By: Nicholas Hall

Nicholas Hall — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:07:53 +0000

Hi Alvaro,
You mention something specific that Dr. Mangels mentioned to me during our lunch that struck me. That was that we typically remember things that are novel (i.e. quite different from what we were expecting to find or what we are seeing in the environment). We remember the novel items even more than the things sought through goal-seeking. So, creating exercises with “novelty” - quite different and sticks out - are excellent.
Can you give us an example?
Great thought.
Nick

By: Nicholas Hall

Nicholas Hall — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:03:20 +0000

Hi Tiz,
Mindfulness would be an excellent exercise here. Specifically to address the two findings in the article that I mention, the one about thinking about connections between the meanings of words and the other outcome of keeping attention external vs. internal, what specific mindfulness exercises could you devise?
This is a great area to think about.
Nick

By: Nicholas Hall

Nicholas Hall — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:59:37 +0000

Hi Senia,
Goal setting, whether in business or otherwise, I would imagine would encourage the brain activity mentioned in my article. First, by having goals one is more apt to think about the relationships between what they’re doing wrong and how to do it right in order to achieve their goal. They may still have negative self-perceptions regarding failure, but the goal they have can help them always to be moving forward and THINKING about the relationships between the meanings of their actions and their desired outcomes.

It would also focus the attention externally by asking “what can I do next to achieve my goal?” This keeps people from thinking about how they’re feeling and reacting to things around them, and focusing on taking their next step.
Thanks!
Nick

By: Nicholas Hall

Nicholas Hall — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:50:44 +0000

Hi Sherri,
If the “growing neurons” info is correct, that would make sense. The more we do something, in this case keep our attention external to incoming stimuli vs. internal on our emotional response to something, we probably will grow more brain cells. We become what we think…
Habits of mind, indeed.
Nick

By: Inbal

Inbal — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 07:46:53 +0000

Hi,
Interesting article. Thank you for writing it.
Maybe the fixed-mindset and the growth-mindset are a result of some brain structure or mechanism? In other words, maybe we born with this quality as a physical one?
It’s like the egg and chicken question…How do you know if the self image cause the brain activity or the brain activity cause the self image?

By: Alvaro

Alvaro — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:16:54 +0000

Nick, great post. Sherri, great comment that “Pair that growth mindset with the development of new neural pathways and a student can become smarter and with practice literally develop the brainpower to learn more.”

For us, “brain fitness” starts with that willingness to learn and grow. Then, there are some guidelines as to what “good” brain exercise is: that which involves novelty (to engage frontal lobes), variety (to practice several cognitive skills and brain areas) and increasing level of difficulty (so it doesn’t become routine).

I am happy to see how the message is starting to percolate…the next frontier is for mainstream media to understand and help us convey that this applies to adults as well, not just to kids!

By: Tiz

Tiz — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 20:27:58 +0000

Hi Nick,

Fascinating article. Hmmm, as a response to your challenge, I suggest training in mindfulness - an activity considered to encourage growth in attention centres (Lazar), improve emotional balance (Davidson) and, in turn, foster a broaden-and-build approach (Fredrickson).

Thanks for updating us on this new study.
Tiz.