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Too Many Kids Quit Science Because They Don't Think They're Smart

Posted by Soulskill on from the making-it-harder-than-it-is dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Carol Dweck, a psychology professor at Stanford, has done years of study on how students' attitudes affect their academic achievements. Her work began at the height of the "self-esteem movement," when parents were told to praise their kids' brainpower at every turn. But Professor Dweck found that praise for intelligence or talent — relatively immutable characteristics — only turned kids off of trying subjects they perceived as difficult, like math and science. Praising effort, perseverance, and problem-solving strategies works better. She also says, "There is such a thing as too much praise, we believe." Instead, she suggests engaging with kids about the process itself, showing interest and encouragement when they talk about how they did something.

8 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. They're probably correct by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    There. I said what we're all thinking.

    1. Re:They're probably correct by plover · · Score: 4, Funny

      When you were in school, Leibnitz hadn't yet invented his Calculus, so there wasn't as much STEM to learn.

      I know, I'll get off your lawn.

      --
      John
    2. Re:They're probably correct by JustOK · · Score: 4, Funny

      So, you're saying things got worse after integration in our schools?

      --
      rewriting history since 2109
    3. Re: They're probably correct by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

      Yes. We've had to dumb things down in order to teach these new students (if I say who they are you'd call me racist, but we both know it's true. And many of these students don't even want an education because they only dream of being in the NBA or rapping, and many are functionally illiterate even as adults). What used to be normal school stuff is now relegated only to advanced classes. And we are way behind countries like Korea and Finland in math and science.

  2. The study I want to see... by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Too many grown-ups go into politics because they think they are smart"

    --
    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
  3. Re:my kid by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wow! What an awesome comment. You're so smart!

  4. Re:my kid by ljw1004 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Someone told me that Golden Retrievers are a particularly smart breed of dog.

    I replied "You shouldn't say that: you should just say that they try hard"

  5. Re:my kid by Charliemopps · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wow! What an awesome comment. You're so smart!

    I'm also quite handsome!