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The Secret to Raising Smart Kids

Posted by samzenpus on from the the-most-smartest dept.

Hugh Pickens writes "Scientific American has an interesting article on the secret to raising smart kids that says that more than 30 years of scientific investigation suggests that an overemphasis on intellect or talent leaves people vulnerable to failure, fearful of challenges and unwilling to remedy their shortcomings. In particular, attributing poor performance to a lack of ability depresses motivation more than does the belief that lack of effort is to blame. One theory of what separates the two general classes of learners, helpless versus mastery-oriented, is that these different types of students not only explain their failures differently, but they also hold different "theories" of intelligence. The helpless ones believe that intelligence is a fixed trait: you have only a certain amount. Mistakes crack their self-confidence because they attribute errors to a lack of ability, which they feel powerless to change. Mastery-oriented children think intelligence is malleable and can be developed through education and hard work. Challenges are energizing rather than intimidating offering opportunities to learn."

6 of 614 comments (clear)

  1. scool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    so duz this meen i cin git more smartz or will i allays be like dis ? i don unnerstand.

  2. Chemicals by cthulu_mt · · Score: 5, Funny

    The early intake of PCB's seems to have made me [NO CARRIER]

    --
    Virginia is for lovers. EVE is for griefers.
  3. Re:People are different by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sentences are capitalized. Remedial English at 12.

  4. Uh-oh, the ground is trembling, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Small mammals are scurrying for cover,
    All the birds have taken wing.

    The hordes of self-proclaimed geniuses who wander the halls of Slashdot approach.

  5. Re:Implicit Critique by cerberusss · · Score: 5, Funny

    when shown the results of a psychological experiment, most people think the results were obvious. And yet - when people are asked to predict the results of those same experiments, they're no better at it than chance.
    I could've told them that. That research funding could've been spent a hell of a lot better.
    --
    8 of 13 people found this answer helpful. Did you?
  6. Re:Mental Disabilities by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    >Your here on Slashdot so I'm guessing your better at Maths and Sciences.
    >Although I do try to keep my spelling/grammar impeccable on the net

    I see it's not working out so well.