Carol Dweck: Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset—What does Science Say ?
Today, we hear a lot about growth, business growth, and even hyper-growth, especially in the business world. Personal development has become increasingly intertwined with business reality. The mindset of a founder, leader, or CEO is now seen as a critical factor for the overall growth and health of a company.
But as the term “growth mindset” starts to become a buzzword, what does science really say about this phenomenon? Is it just another marketing gimmick or is there real neurological evidence behind it?
Here’s an overview of the study conducted by Carol Dweck, renowned psychologist at Stanford University, on the growth mindset and its real—or imagined—differences from a fixed mindset.
Part 1: Carol Dweck’s Foundational Work
The concept of the growth mindset and fixed mindset has its roots in the pioneering work of Dr. Carol Dweck, a distinguished psychologist at Stanford University. Dr. Dweck devoted her career to understanding why some people succeed while others fail, and how our perception of our abilities affects our performance.
In her landmark book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, Dweck shares decades of research on motivation, personality, and human development. She defines two distinct mindsets that shape our approach to learning and personal growth:
- Fixed Mindset: People with this mindset believe that intelligence and talent are static traits. They aim to “prove” their abilities rather than develop them.
- Growth Mindset: Individuals with this mindset believe that abilities can be cultivated through effort, effective strategies, and constructive feedback. Every challenge becomes an opportunity for learning and growth.
As Dweck herself explains:
“My work bridges developmental psychology, social psychology, and personality psychology, exploring the self-conceptions (or mindsets) that people use to structure the self and guide their behavior.”
— Dweck, C. S. (2007). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.
Part 2: Fundamental Differences Between the Two Mindsets
The differences between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset are evident in various aspects of life, behavior, and even business performance. Here are some key contrasts:
Perception of Intelligence and Talent
Those with a fixed mindset view intelligence and talent as innate and unchangeable traits. They believe that these qualities are determined at birth and cannot be significantly altered. This leads to a form of intellectual determinism.
On the contrary, individuals with a growth mindset see intelligence and talent as qualities that can be developed and enhanced through effort, learning, and persistence.
Attitude Toward Effort and Challenges
For people with a fixed mindset, effort is often seen as a sign of weakness or inability. If something requires effort, it’s a sign that they lack natural talent for it.
Conversely, those with a growth mindset perceive effort as the path to mastery. They embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.
Take Michael Jordan, for example. Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Instead of giving up, he used this setback as motivation to improve. Today, he is a sports legend.
Dealing with Failure
When faced with failure, someone with a fixed mindset may give up quickly, seeing it as proof of their incompetence. Their ego takes over.
In contrast, a person with a growth mindset views failure as a learning opportunity—a necessary step on the path to success. Failure becomes a starting point, not the end, and triggers curiosity and renewed effort. The ego plays less of a role.
Thomas Edison’s famous quote captures this mindset well. When asked how he succeeded in inventing the lightbulb after thousands of unsuccessful attempts, Edison replied:
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
The growth mindset is also relevant to entrepreneurial dynamics and the growth potential of a business.
Reaction to Others’ Success
People with a fixed mindset may feel threatened by the success of others, interpreting it as a reflection of their own inadequacy. They compare themselves and it stings.
On the other hand, those with a growth mindset find inspiration in others’ success. They see it as proof that progress is possible. Innovation thrives on this attitude, where every new achievement opens doors for future advancements.
As Dweck points out:
“Why hide deficiencies instead of overcoming them? Why seek friends or partners who will shore up your self-esteem instead of those who will also challenge you to grow? And why seek out the tried and true instead of experiences that will stretch you?”
— Dweck, C. S. (2007). Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House.
Part 3: Neuroscientific Analysis of Mindsets
Studies using brain imaging technology have uncovered significant differences in brain activity between individuals with a growth mindset and those with a fixed mindset.
Carol Dweck’s preliminary research opened the door to further scientific exploration of these mindsets. One particularly revealing study used neuroimaging to examine brain activity when participants reviewed their mistakes during a test.
The researchers found that people with a growth mindset showed heightened brain activity when given information about how to improve. In contrast, those with a fixed mindset were more focused on their performance results.
More specifically, two key brain regions were identified as highly active in growth mindset individuals:
- Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC): Involved in learning and cognitive control.
- Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC): Crucial for monitoring errors and behavioral adaptation.
These findings suggest that people with a growth mindset are more likely to actively process their mistakes and use that information to improve. They are focused on learning rather than on immediate outcomes, embodying the idea of “appreciating the journey rather than the destination.”
Part 4: Practical Tips for Cultivating a Growth Mindset
Developing a growth mindset is an ongoing process that requires practice and perseverance. Here are some effective strategies for nurturing this mindset:
- Acknowledge that change is possible: Recognize that your abilities and intelligence can evolve. Think of the brain as a muscle—the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.
- Embrace challenges: Instead of avoiding difficult situations, view them as opportunities to grow. Every challenge is a chance to learn something new.
- Persist through obstacles: When facing difficulties, don’t give up. See these moments as opportunities to build resilience and determination.
- Value effort and process: Focus on the progress you’re making rather than just the end result. Celebrate your efforts and learning along the way.
- Learn from mistakes: Treat errors as valuable learning opportunities. Analyze what went wrong and use this knowledge to improve.
- Cultivate positive self-talk: Replace negative or limiting thoughts with encouraging and constructive affirmations.
- Adopt the “not yet” mentality: When struggling with a task, add “yet” to your thoughts. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” tell yourself, “I can’t do this yet.”
- Seek constructive feedback: Welcome constructive criticism as a tool for personal growth. Actively seek feedback and use it to improve.
Ultimately, the concept of growth mindset vs fixed mindset is about self-improvement, not competition. The growth mindset isn’t about comparing oneself to others, but rather about constantly seeking to improve. It’s the mindset that fuels innovation and the growth potential of businesses.
As Carol Dweck says in her TED Talk:
“Becoming is better than being.”
At ELLEVATE, this mindset directly influences how we approach business development and the growth of sustainable, thriving companies. Now that we’ve established the differences between a growth mindset and other mindsets, let’s analyze how adopting a growth mindset can impact your business’s success and growth.
