The belief that ability can grow, and how much it really changes

Carol Dweck is a psychologist at Stanford University who has studied motivation for decades. Mindset, published in 2006, introduced the terms fixed mindset and growth mindset to a wide audience, and schools and companies around the world adopted them.

The book contrasts people who see ability as a fixed amount, which a failure exposes, with people who see it as something that grows with effort and good strategies. Dweck argues the second view leads people to take on harder challenges, recover from setbacks and learn more.

Much of the book applies the idea to parenting, teaching, sport, business and relationships, with many stories of people who thrived or stalled.

The practical core is about feedback. In a well-known 1998 study by Claudia Mueller and Dweck, children praised for being clever were more likely to avoid harder puzzles afterwards than children praised for their effort. Praising the process, such as strategy, practice and persistence, gives people something they can repeat.

The evidence for the broader claims is weaker than the book's tone. A 2018 set of meta-analyses by Victoria Sisk and colleagues found only weak links between mindset and school results, and small effects from mindset programmes. A large 2019 study in the United States found a short online lesson raised grades slightly, mainly for lower-achieving students. Dweck herself has warned against a false version that simply praises effort without results.

The idea is useful as a habit of how you talk about learning. It is not a quick fix for grades or performance.

The idea behind this caseLesson: Will AI take my job? →

1. 1When you praise someone this week, name the strategy or practice that worked, not their talent.
2. 2When you get something wrong, write down one thing you would try differently next time.
3. 3Add the word "yet" when you catch yourself saying you cannot do something.
4. 4Pick one skill you assume you are bad at and spend 15 minutes practising it.