On page 98, Shenk describes an experiment that regards the conditioning of children when it comes to challenging themselves. When the child completed the puzzle, they either were complimented for intelligence, or complimented on their hard work. These children were then told to complete a second puzzle. Either another very easy puzzle, or a more challenging puzzle. More than 50% of children praised for their intelligence chose the easy puzzle. 90% of children praised for their hard work chose the more difficult puzzle.
Why did the children praised for their intelligence chose the easier puzzle? Why did the children praised for hard work choose the more difficult puzzle? Does this experiment support the argument of a growth mindset? How does the environmental factor of praise affect the progress of children? Could this praise lead to cyclic behavior?
Shenk was trying to show how different motivational techniques influence a child's determination. This relates to Carol Dweck's theory of growth versus fixed mindsets, detailed in her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success." In an interview on Youtube, Dweck reinforces Shenk's opinion that external factors, or GxE, allow a person to have a growth mindset and learn more. Dweck states that "in a fixed mindset, challenges and obstacles are threatening." This specific Puzzle Experiment perfectly shows how children that were influenced to be complacent would remain in a fixed mindset. Those that do not could become "high-achieving adult[s]" since "achievement depends completely on long-term attitude" (98).
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, this example by Shenk also reflects the biological theme of feedback mechanisms (Campbell 11). Negative feedback –the more common– functions like the adults praising the children for their "inborn intelligence." The praise functions like an over-accumulation of an end product that lessen children's ambitions. Conversely, adults praising work efforts encourages children to be even more ambitious, thus is like positive feedback.
Youtube interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTsF2TaEaJA
Nathan Ro (nathanro94@gmail.com)