Mindset Explained: 2025 Insights on Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets and Their Impact on Success

Kendra Cherry, MSEd, is a psychosocial rehabilitation expert, psychology educator, and author of the acclaimed 'Everything Psychology Book.'

Your mindset is the collection of beliefs that shape how you interpret the world and yourself. It directly influences your thoughts, emotions, and actions in any situation, ultimately affecting your chances of success or failure.

Mindsets guide behavior across various life scenarios. When encountering challenges, your mindset triggers a specific response that shapes how you act.

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck highlights that your beliefs are fundamental to what you desire and whether you achieve it.

Understanding Fixed and Growth Mindsets

Dweck identifies two primary mindsets: fixed and growth. A fixed mindset means believing your abilities are static and unchangeable. You might think success depends solely on innate talent or intelligence, minimizing the role of effort.

Conversely, a growth mindset is the belief that abilities and talents can be developed through dedication and perseverance. While not everyone can become a genius or virtuoso, everyone can improve intelligence and skills by working hard.

Here are examples illustrating fixed versus growth mindsets.

Boost Your Growth Mindset – Listen Now

Hosted by therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast offers actionable advice on cultivating a growth mindset. Tune in below.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts

How Mindsets Develop

How does your mindset form? Dweck’s research points to two main influences during early childhood: praise and labeling.

The Power of Praise

In landmark studies, Dweck found that praising children’s innate traits, like calling them “smart,” fosters a fixed mindset. It implies abilities are fixed and unchangeable.

In contrast, praising effort and strategies—process praise—encourages a growth mindset by highlighting control over success.

For example, after a good math test grade, personal praise might be, “You’re so good at math.” Process praise would be, “You worked really hard studying and asking questions, which paid off.”

Adults can nurture growth mindsets by focusing on praising effort rather than just outcomes, helping children realize that dedication leads to growth.

The Role of Labels

Labels and stereotypes also shape mindsets. Beliefs like “girls aren’t good at math” or “boys can’t read well” can create fixed mindsets about abilities.

Research shows that even simple demographic checkboxes can activate internalized stereotypes affecting performance.

The Impact of Your Mindset

Your mindset profoundly affects how you handle challenges. Children with growth mindsets are eager to learn and work hard, often excelling academically.

Adults with growth mindsets persevere through setbacks, viewing failures as learning opportunities. Those with fixed mindsets tend to give up more easily.

In 'Mindset: The New Psychology of Success,' Dweck describes how fixed mindset individuals constantly seek validation to prove their worth.

Carol Dweck on Mindset

“Many people with a fixed mindset focus on proving themselves in school, work, and relationships. Every situation becomes a test: Will I succeed or fail? Will I look smart or foolish? Will I be accepted or rejected? Will I feel like a winner or loser?” – Carol Dweck

Discover Your Mindset

Wonder if you have a fixed or growth mindset? Reflect on these statements and see which resonate most:

1. Intelligence is innate and unchangeable.
2. Basic abilities and personality traits can’t be significantly improved.
3. People can change who they are.
4. Learning new skills can boost intelligence.
5. Talent is something you’re born with, not acquired.
6. Effort and practice develop new abilities.

If you agree mostly with 1, 2, and 5, you likely lean toward a fixed mindset. Agreeing with 3, 4, and 6 suggests a growth mindset.

Transforming a Fixed Mindset

Dweck asserts that mindsets can change. Here’s how to shift towards growth:

• Value the journey, not just the outcome. Learning happens throughout the process.
• Use the word "yet" to remind yourself that mastery takes time.
• Replace negative self-talk with positive, growth-oriented thoughts.
• Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and improve.

Additional Resources for Success

• Psychology Insights
• Motivation Theories
• Cognitive Development

References

1. O’Keefe PA, Dweck CS, Walton GM. Implicit theories of interest: Finding your passion or developing it? Psychol Sci. 2018;29(10):1653-1664. doi:10.1177/0956797618780643
2. Gunderson EA, et al. Parent praise to 1- to 3-year-olds predicts children’s motivational frameworks 5 years later. Child Dev. 2013;84(5):1526-1541. doi:10.1111/cdev.12064
3. Steele CM, Aronson J. Stereotype threat and intellectual test performance of African Americans. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1995;69(5):797-811. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.69.5.797
4. Dweck CS. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Updated Edition. Ballantine Books; 2007.
5. Moser JS, et al. Mind your errors: Neural mechanisms linking growth mindset to adaptive adjustments. Psychol Sci. 2011;22(12):1484-1489. doi:10.1177/0956797611419520

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd
Kendra Cherry is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the 'Everything Psychology Book.'

Learn more about our editorial standards and review board to ensure content quality.

Was this article helpful? Your feedback is appreciated!

Discover engaging topics and analytical content in Theories of Psychology as of 25-06-2024. The article titled " Mindset Explained: 2025 Insights on Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets and Their Impact on Success " provides new insights and practical guidance in the Theories of Psychology field. Each topic is meticulously analyzed to deliver actionable information to readers.

The topic " Mindset Explained: 2025 Insights on Fixed vs. Growth Mindsets and Their Impact on Success " helps you make smarter decisions within the Theories of Psychology category. All topics on our website are unique and offer valuable content for our audience.