Mindset

The human capacity for cognitive thinking is without a doubt limitless and we need to understand how the human being thinks, feels and acts. The knowledge that exists in our unconsciousness developed through time can generate results on our reality based on scarcity or abundance. This result can be associated with the person’s developed mindset.

According to Carol S. Dweck, PhD, in her book “Mindset”, there are two mindset models: Fixed Mindset and Growth Mindset. In one of her case studies, Dr. Dweck presents this situation:

“One day you’re attending a very important class, which you really like. The teacher delivers the reviewed mid-term tests. Your grade was a D and you got really disappointed. That afternoon, when you were about to go home, you found out you got a car ticket for parking in a no parking spot. Completely frustrated, you call your best friend on the phone to talk about the things that happened to you but he doesn’t give too much attention to you” (DWECK, 2017, p. 16)

How would someone react to this situation through the characteristics of each Mindset? The study showed that the person with Fixed Mindset would assume the role of victim, feeling rejected, placing the responsibility for his failure or success on the external situation, in this case, for his failure throughout the day.

On the other hand, the person with a Growth Mindset would create an internal method of learning in search for a better future, seeking to make more efforts, taking responsibility for what occurred and, learning from their own results, may them be positive or negative. In this case recognizing the test result and elaborating an improvement plan.