Growth mindset

// What the research shows

Sisk et al. (2018) tested this in two meta-analyses: the link between growth mindset and academic achievement was weak, and interventions meant to instil a growth mindset had only very small effects overall. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds benefited somewhat more.

// In practice

• The core idea holds in training anyway: strength and technique are trainable, as every study here shows.
• But don't expect miracles from a “mindset switch” alone. What counts is what you then actually do.
• Use setbacks as information, not as a verdict on yourself.

// Limitations & open questions

The research comes almost entirely from education. There's hardly any direct data for sport and training.

// Sources

• Meta-Analysen 2018Sisk et al. – To what extent and under which circumstances are growth mind-sets important to academic achievement? (Psychol Sci) ↗

// More from Mindset