QuoteProject
When we praise children for their intelligence, we tell them that this is the name of the game: Look smart; don't risk making mistakes.
Carol S. Dweck
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Praising intelligence may discourage children from taking risks and making mistakes.

Carol S. Dweck's quote emphasizes that when we label children as intelligent, we inadvertently send a message that they should prioritize looking smart over embracing challenges. This mindset promotes a fear of failure, as children may become apprehensive about making mistakes, ultimately hindering their willingness to learn and grow.

Themes

PraiseIntelligenceMistakesLearningGrowth

In practice

Example use cases

A teacher might use this quote in a workshop about effective teaching strategies.

More from Carol S. Dweck

Just because some people can do something with little or no training, it doesn't mean that others can't do it (and sometimes do it even better) with training.
Carol S. DweckRead
Some students start thinking of their intelligence as something fixed, as carved in stone. They worry about, 'Do I have enough? Don't I have enough?'
Carol S. DweckRead
In one world, effort is a bad thing. It, like failure, means you're not smart or talented. If you were, you wouldn't need effort. In the other world, effort is what makes you smart or talented.
Carol S. DweckRead
Our message to parents is to focus on the process the child engages in, such as trying hard or focusing on the task - what specific things they're doing rather than, 'You're so smart. You're so good at this.' Although it's never too late to change, what you do early matters.
Carol S. DweckRead
Picture your brain forming new connections as you meet the challenge and learn. Keep on going.
Carol S. DweckRead
I loved everything. I loved sciences and I loved humanities. But ultimately, I felt that in the humanities, you know, you're writing about things that already exist. But in the sciences, you're discovering things that no one has known before. Ultimately I chose psychology because it seemed to combine science with things that I liked to think about.
Carol S. DweckRead

Similar quotes

People who grow up with two or more languages understand that each can express certain aspects of reality better than the other.
Siri HustvedtRead
The more research you do, the more at ease you are in the world you're writing about. It doesn't encumber you, it makes you free.
A. S. ByattRead
It has been a privilege to pursue knowledge for its own sake and to see how it might help mankind in more practical ways.
Paul NurseRead
When a teacher calls a boy by his entire name, it means trouble.
Mark TwainRead
Instructors should not only be skilful in those sciences which they teach, but have skill in the method of teaching, and patience in the practice.
Isaac WattsRead
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.
Robert FrostRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Carol S. Dweck | QuoteProject