A learner’s mindset, be it fixed or growth, is a particular matter that a plethora of factors can influence. These factors can include a variety of elements, such as the environment, motivation, and praise. Depending on a person’s mindset, they might use different coping mechanisms, for example, defensive pessimism or self-handicapping. These coping strategies and mindsets influence a person’s development, views on the world, and society’s future.
Depending on the person’s approach to learning, there are two types of mindsets. A fixed mindset is defined as the belief that people’s abilities cannot change. A growth mindset stipulates that a person can develop and grow continuously. The main difference between them is the focus: a fixed mindset elicits focus on how a person is judged, and a growth mindset emphasizes how people can improve. The type of praise a child receives during the learning process can shape their thinking; for example, a child praised for being smart rather than hardworking will develop a fixed mindset (Briceno, 2012). This fact connects the fixed type of thinking to self-handicapping, a strategy that allows people to avoid damaging their self-esteem by not partaking in activities that can lead to failure (Garcia, & Pintrich, 1993). Self-handicapping develops due to the same misjudged focus – the inherent ability being more valuable than hard work.
There are certain similarities between the notions of a fixed mindset and defensive pessimism. Defensive pessimism is a coping strategy that harnesses anxiety by setting exceedingly low expectations, which, in turn, is used as a motivator for better performance (Garcia, & Pintrich, 1993). People with a fixed mindset tend to worry about the results of their performance, and therefore, the use of defensive pessimism signals the presence of a fixed way of thinking. Identifying and attempting to change fixed thinking is crucial since it leads to a lack of acceptance of new and innovative ideas (Briceno, 2012). Given that the fixed mindset spans matters that exceed defensive pessimism and self-handicapping, these strategies are symptoms of fixed mindset, rather than the same idea as fixed thinking.
In conclusion, a fixed mindset is significantly related to coping strategies that people use to avoid disappointment and harm to their ego due to failure. Primarily, the similarity lies within the source of anxiety that creates these phenomena – the focus on inherent abilities rather than praise for hard work. Based on their mindset, a person makes various decisions that can detrimentally or positively affect the world around them.
References
Garcia, T., & Pintrich, P. R. (1993). Self-schemas, motivational strategies, and self-regulated learning. [Paper presentation]. American Educational Research Association, Atlanta, GA, United States. Web.
Briceno, E. (2012). The power of belief – mindset and success [Video]. TED. Web.