Growth Mindset

The Growth Mindset

Before this module, I had not heard specifically heard of Carol Dweck's "growth mindset." However, in a previous social psychology course I took at OU, we learned about having a fixed mindset. Overall, I see myself as having a growth mindset. Challenges and errors do not immediately make me turn away; rather, I enjoy learning and correcting from mistakes. The same goes with my previous cheerleading career. I felt that even when I failed in cheer, I didn't ever decide that it was due to personal inability. I would always try to take a deep breath, acknowledge what was wrong and move past it, conquering whatever it was that I failed.
This photo depicts common ideas of people who use a growth mindset versus people that practice a fixed mindset. Photo taken from A Medium Corporation.

While being at OU, I've learned that sometimes your hard work is not seen by others (professors, mostly). Sometimes this can be extremely aggravating. However, I've learned that simple communication is absolutely key in college. When I am completing assignments and questions arise, I have learned that by simply communicating with my professors, I've been much more successful. Communication is a much better option than doing assignments with questions that are unanswered and hoping for the best. My biggest challenges mostly occur at the start of semesters, when I have to adapt to teacher's grading styles (i.e. MLA format, APA, etc.).

I would love to learn more about growth mindset. As a psychology minor, I'm always interested in how I can better myself mentally. I know that in relation to exercise, I have always told myself "Mind Over Matter," and the growth mindset highlights the same thing: changing your perception and rising to the challenge.

This semester, I have my last upper-division psychology course to complete my minor. Additionally, I'm taking Media Law. The name Media Law is a bit intimidating, but I'm excited to learn ethics behind the media (how to avoid fake news, as we now say). Having a growth mindset will help me overcome these fears of error, and take on these new challenges head on. 

I'm very glad that this assignment was incorporated into this class. I love learning in classes about things that can be applied to every day life!

Comments

  1. Laura GibbsJanuary 10, 2018 at 11:15 AM

    Oh, this is great, Demery! Mindset and all those related concepts (neuroplasticity, self-efficacy, etc.) are big in psychology right now, and they have really helped me as a teacher trying to make these classes useful for all the different kinds of students who show up (Gen. Ed.: students from ALL the majors!). And what you said about communication is so true... and it's why I love teaching online with the blog network. Unlike a classroom, where we all just spend a lot of time staring at each other, the blogs are kind of like thought-bubbles in cartoons, where I get to see what you all are interested in, what you are curious about, etc. etc. And that helps me move the class in that direction. If learning more about mindset can be useful to you this semester, I will be very happy about that! :-)

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