a fixed mindset

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fixed mindset" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is resistant to change, believes their qualities are fixed, and has a narrow view of their abilities and potential. For example, "John's fixed mindset prevented him from considering new career opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to Dweck, someone with a fixed mindset believes that intelligence is a fixed trait, that you are born smart or dumb and you can't do much to change your intelligence.

HuffPost

If we, adults, have a fixed mindset, we will behave and communicate in fixed-minded ways -such as shying away from challenges or talking about people as if their abilities are fixed.

HuffPost

People with a fixed mindset ignore the warning signs.

Harvard Business Review

CAROL DWECK: Let me start with a fixed mindset.

Harvard Business Review

The researchers found that the drop was greatest for students with a fixed mindset about interests.

Stanford University

Praising a child for reading a book and describing them as clever would be an example of a fixed mindset.

Independent

As Stanford's Carol Dweck has found, people approach feedback with either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset.

Harvard Business Review

People can have a fixed mindset about their cooking abilities but a growth mindset about their public-speaking skills.

Harvard Business Review

Those with a fixed mindset will likely be increasingly stressed and overwhelmed by mounting performance pressures and sustained uncertainty.

Harvard Business Review

So a fixed mindset says let's just pick the individuals who are the stars of the pool here.

Nature

People with a fixed mindset see personality traits and abilities, including their own, as set in stone.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing personal development or educational strategies, contrast "a fixed mindset" with a growth mindset to highlight the benefits of embracing challenges and learning from mistakes.

Common error

Avoid using "a fixed mindset" when you actually mean a lack of motivation or a temporary setback. A fixed mindset is a deeply held belief about the immutability of one's abilities, not just a passing feeling of discouragement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fixed mindset" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a particular belief system about the nature of abilities and intelligence, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fixed mindset" is a common term, as confirmed by Ludwig, used to describe the belief that one's abilities and intelligence are static and unchangeable. This phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, academic, and business contexts. Recognizing the characteristics and implications of "a fixed mindset" is crucial for promoting personal and professional growth. By understanding the contrast between a fixed and a growth mindset, individuals can adopt strategies to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and unlock their full potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

static mindset

Emphasizes the unchanging nature of the mindset.

inflexible thinking

Highlights the lack of adaptability in thought processes.

rigid mentality

Focuses on the strict and unyielding nature of the mindset.

closed mindset

Indicates a resistance to new ideas and perspectives.

belief in innate abilities

Specifies the core belief that abilities are predetermined.

talent-focused perspective

Highlights the emphasis on inherent talent rather than effort.

predetermined outlook

Emphasizes the pre-set nature of one's views and expectations.

conviction of unchangeable traits

Focuses on the firm belief that personal traits cannot be altered.

limited potential belief

Highlights the idea that one's capabilities are restricted.

static intellectual capacity

Specifies the belief that intelligence is a fixed quantity.

FAQs

How does "a fixed mindset" affect learning?

A "fixed mindset" can hinder learning by making individuals avoid challenges and view failures as evidence of their limitations, rather than opportunities for growth.

What's the difference between "a fixed mindset" and "a growth mindset"?

While "a fixed mindset" assumes abilities are static, "a growth mindset" believes abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.

What are the signs of "a fixed mindset"?

Signs of "a fixed mindset" include avoiding challenges, giving up easily, seeing effort as fruitless, ignoring criticism, and feeling threatened by the success of others.

How can you overcome "a fixed mindset"?

Overcoming "a fixed mindset" involves embracing challenges, viewing effort as a path to mastery, learning from criticism, and finding lessons and inspiration in the success of others. It is important to recognize that abilities can be developed.