Puzzles aren't harmless

2 groups of kids make some puzzles.

A basic task. Nothing of note.

But…

After they finish these puzzles, 1 comment will make the difference in future academic, professional, and life choices.

I am learning about learning right now.

All the different books, videos, podcasts, etc. have some underlying themes.

A big one is growth mindset. That means thinking that you can become smarter, make an impact, or improve your current situation.

It’s so important because if you don’t have that type of mindset then why would you ever work hard to achieve something?

This is something children who grow up in poverty struggle with when they are older. They never had any power to improve their situation as kids. And they grow up with that same mindset as they get older. It leads to hopelessness.

You have to feel like you can make an impact.

So what is one comment about a puzzle going to do?

Well, in this study after group 1 finishes the puzzles they get praised. “Wow look at that! You are so smart!”

And after group 2 finishes they are told “Wow look at that! You are such a hard worker!”

Both nice comments, but what difference will this make?

After that, they groups are told they have to try another puzzle. They are offered 2 choices.

1 puzzle is an “easy” one.

The other, they are told, is hard, but it will teach them a lot.

The results are honestly astonishing.

A majority of the kids in group 1 chose the easy puzzle, while 90% of kids in group 2 chose the difficult puzzle.

That is a huge difference. But why?

Group 1 was praised for being smart. Being told you are smart is great but it does not promote a growth mindset. It makes people believe that they are smart naturally. It is out of their control. AKA, it does not promote a growth mindset.

But, being told you are a hard worker on the other hand, that is something you can control. Something you can choose to do. and something that promotes that growth mindset.

Additionally, feedback can become a self fulfilling prophecy. You tell someone they are a hard worker and they will start identifying as that and working to keep that title. And if you tell someone they are smart, well they will want to keep completing tasks that make them look smart. So, they may choose something easier than they otherwise would have, just so they can get it completed and called smart again.

Ultimately, the way you see your ability to change and improve your current situation is vital. And the way to develop a healthy growth mindset is to receive feedback from yourself and others that promotes the fact that you make those impacts.

So, pay attention to the way you talk to yourself and others. It’s more important than we tend to think.