How Your Mindset Affects Your Learning Performance and Well-being: Mindset Plays a Major Role in Academic Success and Resilience
What you believe about learning influences how you approach school and challenges. Educational neuroscientist Smiddy Nieuwenhuis studied how a growth mindset—the belief that intelligence and skills can be developed through practice and effort—affects academic performance and well-being in young people aged 11 to 16. Her research shows that the way students think about their own learning abilities impacts how much effort they put in, how they deal with mistakes, and how motivated they are.
Learning is a Process
To explore this, Nieuwenhuis used behavioral tests, heart rate measurements, and brain scans. Her findings reveal that mindset is not clearly reflected in the body or brain, but rather in behavior. This aligns with recent research suggesting that the effects of mindset depend on the context. "My research helps us understand why some young people cope better with setbacks than others. It’s important for both students and teachers to recognize that learning is a process in which growth is possible," says Nieuwenhuis.
By analyzing behavior, physiological responses, and brain activity, Nieuwenhuis discovered how mindset and effort are connected. Using innovative methods—such as a math task where students could choose their own difficulty level and heart rate measurements—she gained insight into how mindset relates to academic pressure and other external factors.
Making Mistakes is Part of Learning
The results of Nieuwenhuis’ research can help improve education. Schools, for example, can create an environment where not only performance but also the learning process and making mistakes are central. A teacher who emphasizes that mistakes are an opportunity to learn rather than a reason for a bad grade can help students handle challenges more effectively.
In the long term, mindset programs—such as training that teaches students to see challenges as opportunities—can contribute to lower stress levels and fewer school-related burnout complaints. This aligns with the growing focus on mental health in education.
In short, the way young people think about their learning ability influences their effort and well-being. By fostering awareness of this, both schools and parents can help create more resilient and motivated students.
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