Dwecks Mindset Theory

AQA

GCSE

Carol Dweck's Mindset Theory (Self-Theories) posits that individuals hold implicit beliefs about the malleability of their intelligence. The core distinction lies between a Fixed Mindset (Entity Theory), where intelligence is viewed as innate and unchangeable, and a Growth Mindset (Incremental Theory), where intelligence is seen as capable of development through effort and strategy. This framework is critical for understanding motivation, resilience, and academic attainment. Candidates must analyze the impact of praise (person vs. process) on these mindsets and evaluate the theory's application in educational interventions (e.g., 'The Power of Yet').

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award marks for clearly distinguishing between Fixed Mindset (ability is innate) and Growth Mindset (ability is developed through effort).
Credit responses that explicitly link 'process praise' to mastery orientation and 'person praise' to helplessness.
Candidates must apply the theory to novel scenarios, identifying mindset types based on characters' reactions to challenges.
Evaluation must go beyond description; credit analysis of the theory's application in schools or supporting evidence (e.g., Gunderson et al.).

Example Examiner Feedback

Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

"You defined growth mindset accurately, but failed to contrast it explicitly with fixed mindset regarding the view of failure."
"Excellent application to the scenario; you quoted the text to prove the character values effort over talent."
"Your evaluation relies on 'it is a good theory'; provide specific evidence or methodological critique to access higher bands."
"Differentiate clearly between praising the person (talent) and praising the process (effort) to secure full marks."

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award marks for clearly distinguishing between Fixed Mindset (ability is innate) and Growth Mindset (ability is developed through effort).
Credit responses that explicitly link 'process praise' to mastery orientation and 'person praise' to helplessness.
Candidates must apply the theory to novel scenarios, identifying mindset types based on characters' reactions to challenges.
Evaluation must go beyond description; credit analysis of the theory's application in schools or supporting evidence (e.g., Gunderson et al.).

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡In scenario questions, explicitly quote the stem to justify why a character demonstrates a Fixed or Growth mindset.
💡For 9-mark 'Discuss' questions, ensure a balance of AO1 (Description) and AO3 (Evaluation); do not spend more than 3 minutes describing the theory.
💡Use specific terminology: 'incremental theory', 'entity theory', 'mastery orientation', and 'learned helplessness'.
💡When evaluating, use the 'real-world application' argument: explain how Dweck's theory has changed feedback methods in schools.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing 'self-efficacy' (Bandura) with 'growth mindset' (Dweck) without distinguishing the specific mechanism of effort vs. innate ability.
Stating generically that 'praise is good' without specifying that person praise can be detrimental to resilience.
Providing a narrative description of Dweck's biography rather than an analysis of the psychological theory.
Failing to link the mindset type to the specific behavioural outcome (e.g., giving up vs. persisting) in scenario questions.

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Identify

Define

Outline

Explain

Discuss

Evaluate

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