Why 'you're smart' can backfire: Young children may cheat more after ability praise
Parents and teachers might think telling kids "they're smart" is a helpful way to build self-confidence and support positive development.
Praising children for their intelligence can have an unintended consequence, according to recent research. When young children are told they're smart, they may be more likely to cheat in order to maintain that image. This finding challenges the conventional wisdom that emphasizing a child's innate abilities is a effective way to foster self-confidence and motivation.
The study's results suggest that ability praise can create a fixed mindset in children, leading them to prioritize maintaining their perceived intelligence over actual learning and achievement. This is concerning, as it can undermine the development of a growth mindset, which is essential for resilience, creativity, and lifelong learning. In contrast, praising effort and progress has been shown to promote a more adaptive and resilient approach to challenges.
As parents and educators, it's essential to be mindful of the language we use when interacting with children. Rather than focusing on innate abilities, we should emphasize the importance of hard work, persistence, and progress. By doing so, we can help children develop a growth mindset and a love of learning that will serve them well throughout their lives. What's next to watch is how educators and policymakers respond to these findings, and whether they will adapt their approaches to promoting student motivation and achievement.
Originally reported by phys.org. NewsData adds analysis for science & discovery readers.