Thread by @BrookeMacnamara

We examined 6 key claims of mindset theory. The strongest association (r=−.12) was in the opposite direction from the theory's claim. We suggest the foundations of mindset theory are not firm and that bold claims about mindset appear to be overstated. 1/8 journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.11…

Mindset theorists claim mindset has "profound" effects on motivation & achievement, creates diff
"psychological worlds," & forms the "core" of people’s meaning systems. Evidence should be at least as strong as the average effect in social psych research, right? We tested this.

Mindset claim #1: People with a growth mindset hold learning goals.
Evidential strength for claim: weak
Results: Growth mindset was weakly associated with learning goals, r = .10, p = .041; this is significantly weaker than the average social psych effect (r = 0.20), p = .015.

Mindset claim #2: People with a fixed mindset hold performance goals.
Evidential strength for claim: weak
Results: Fixed mindset was weakly associated w performance goals, r = –0.11, p = .022; this is significantly weaker than the average social psych effect (r = –0.20), p=.026.

Mindset claim #3: People with a fixed mindset hold performance-avoidance goals.
Evidence for claim: none
Results: Fixed mindset was not associated with holding performance-avoidance goals, r = –0.04, p = .414.

Mindset claim #4: People with a fixed mindset believe that talent alone, without effort, creates success.
Evidence for claim: none
Results: Fixed mindset was not associated with agreement with this statement, r = –0.06, p = .201.

Mindset claim #5: People with a growth mindset persist to overcome challenges.
Evidence for claim: none
Results: Growth mindset was not associated with persistence in the face of challenge, r = 0.06, p = .242.

Mindset claim #6: People with a growth mindset are resilient following failure.
Evidence for claim: none
Results: Growth mindset was *negatively* associated with performance following failure, r = -.12, p = .011.