Praise is often seen as a positive force in child development, but not all praise is created equal. Groundbreaking research by psychologist Carol Dweck has revealed that the way we praise children can dramatically impact their motivation, resilience, and willingness to take on challenges. Her findings have reshaped the way educators, parents, and psychologists think about how to cultivate a growth mindset in children—and they have profound implications for success in both school and life.
The Experiment That Changed Everything
Dweck’s study involved a group of children who were given a set of puzzles to complete. After successfully solving the first round of problems, they were split into two groups, each receiving a different type of praise:
- Intelligence Praise – “You’re so smart!”
- Effort Praise – “You worked really hard on that!”
Afterward, the children were given a choice: they could attempt an easier problem set or a more challenging one.
The Surprising Results
- Children who were praised for their intelligence were more likely to choose the easier problem set.
- Children who were praised for their effort overwhelmingly chose the harder problems.
Why? The intelligence-praised children wanted to protect their “smart” label, avoiding failure at all costs. In contrast, the effort-praised children saw challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
This single small difference in praise led to an immediate and measurable change in behavior. The study demonstrated how subtle language choices can either encourage or discourage a child’s willingness to take risks and push through difficulties.
The Science Behind the Growth Mindset
Dweck’s research laid the foundation for what she later called “Growth Mindset”—the belief that abilities and intelligence are not fixed traits, but can be developed through hard work, persistence, and learning from failure.
Children with a Fixed Mindset (those praised for being smart) tend to:
- Avoid difficult tasks for fear of failure.
- Feel threatened by challenges and setbacks.
- See effort as a sign of weakness, believing that “smart” people don’t need to work hard.
Children with a Growth Mindset (those praised for effort) tend to:
- Seek out new challenges, even if they might fail.
- View mistakes as learning opportunities.
- Believe that intelligence and abilities can improve with effort.
This has major implications for education, parenting, and even workplace motivation.
Why This Matters Beyond Childhood
Dweck’s findings don’t just apply to children—they have far-reaching consequences for how we approach learning and self-improvement at all stages of life.
1. The Long-Term Impact on Success
Children raised with a fixed mindset may struggle in adulthood because they fear failure and avoid taking risks. On the other hand, those with a growth mindset tend to be more resilient, pushing through obstacles and ultimately achieving greater success.
A study on students’ academic performance found that:
- Growth mindset students consistently outperformed their fixed mindset peers.
- They were more likely to persevere through challenges, even in subjects they initially struggled with.
- They demonstrated greater emotional resilience, handling setbacks in a productive way.
2. Implications for the Workplace
The difference between these mindsets doesn’t disappear after childhood—it follows us into adulthood and the professional world. Employees with a growth mindset:
- Are more open to feedback and willing to improve.
- Take on leadership roles more effectively because they see challenges as growth opportunities.
- Handle setbacks without losing confidence.
In contrast, those with a fixed mindset may shy away from leadership and fear criticism, making it harder for them to develop new skills.
3. The Role of Parents, Teachers, and Leaders
The way we talk to children, students, and employees matters. Encouraging effort, perseverance, and problem-solving over natural talent or intelligence leads to stronger, more adaptable individuals.
- Instead of “You’re so smart!”, try “You really worked hard on that!”
- Instead of “You’re a natural!”, say “You put in a lot of effort to improve!”
- Instead of “You’re so talented!”, say “You’ve practiced a lot, and it shows!”
These small shifts in language help reinforce the idea that abilities grow through effort and learning.
Rewiring How We Think About Praise
Dweck’s research has been instrumental in shifting how educators, coaches, and business leaders encourage personal growth. It challenges the way society overvalues raw intelligence and natural talent, instead emphasizing effort and perseverance as the true keys to success.
The key takeaway?
- Talent is not enough.
- Intelligence isn’t fixed.
- Hard work, persistence, and a willingness to embrace challenges matter more than anything else.
Final Thoughts
Carol Dweck’s research changed the way we understand human potential. It revealed how the simple words we use can shape a child’s relationship with learning, success, and failure—often for the rest of their lives.
By encouraging a growth mindset, we empower children and adults to take on challenges, push through obstacles, and ultimately reach their full potential.
So, the next time you praise someone, consider what you’re reinforcing. Are you celebrating effort and resilience—or accidentally encouraging a fear of failure?
In the end, how we praise is just as important as what we praise.