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Test determines “Growth Mindset”: Eight questions reveal whether you will be successful later

Test determines “Growth Mindset”: Eight questions reveal whether you will be successful later

Success begins in the mind – and can now be verified. Scientists have developed a new growth mindset test. What is being asked for.

A positive view of your own abilities and an unshakable belief in growth – that is what the so-called “growth mindset” represents. Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) conducted two studies to investigate the role this attitude plays in achieving personal goals and overcoming obstacles. In doing so, they come to exciting insights that could be applied in various areas of life, from school to the workplace.

What constitutes a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is characterized by beliefs that aim for progress and change. This includes the belief that skills can be improved through practice and training, as well as the willingness to take on challenges. Study leader Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson from the Department of Psychology at NTNU sees the potential in changing the way societies organize education and work: “We can get people to set long-term goals and push themselves to achieve them .” . That’s what I call the ‘I can feeling’.”

The researchers emphasize that external influences also play a role. Schools should, for example, adapt tasks to the students’ level in order to enable a sense of achievement. This allows children and young people to develop stronger self-confidence and be more motivated in the long term.

More than just motivation

The growth mindset is more than a question of motivation – it influences how we approach challenges and what opportunities we see in problems. Sigmundsson describes it as a fundamental part of personal and social progress: “Our results can help us to better understand the connections between different factors.” These, in turn, are related to how satisfied people are with their lives, what they have achieved and how they feel.”

How attitude and success are related

People with a growth mindset often have more passion and willpower.

People who believe in their success are far more passionate and strong-willed than those who don’t have this belief.

Together with his colleague, Professor Monika Haga from the Department of Teacher Training, he examined the psychological factors that promote success. In a large-scale study with 1,548 participants between the ages of 13 and 77, they analyzed the connection between passion, determination and the belief in achieving one’s goals.

The results are clear: those who have a positive attitude are, on average, significantly more willing to work hard. Sigmundsson explained: “We find big differences in passion and determination when we compare the five percent of people with the most positive attitudes with the five percent who think the most negatively.” Positive attitudes seem to be a key to setting long-term goals put put and also to follow these.

A tool to measure mindset

In addition to recognizing that growth mindset is critical to success, Sigmundsson and Haga have developed a new tool to measure people’s attitudes. Their test assessed whether someone had the right posture to continually improve. “There was a lot of discussion about the current tests. “We believe our new test measures growth mindset better,” said Sigmundsson.

For the study, they analyzed the responses of 723 participants aged 16 to 85. Participants had to rate a series of statements, including: “I know that through effort I can improve my skills and knowledge” and “I see challenges as opportunities for learning.” The test is based on measuring factors such as flow and passion , i.e. the states in which people are so absorbed in their activities that time flies.

Eight point test

Participants had to consider whether they agreed with the following statements:

  • I know that with effort I can improve my skills and knowledge.
  • I can influence and change my development in general.
  • I can change my skills and knowledge through practice.
  • I like to take on challenges and try new things.
  • I see learning as my goal.
  • Effort makes me stronger.
  • I would like to spend more time and delve deeper into an area/topic/subject to develop my skills and knowledge.
  • I have confidence in my own abilities and my possibilities.

See challenges as opportunities

People with a growth mindset see challenges as learning and developing. This attitude is relevant not only at school or at work, but in all areas of life, explains Sigmundsson: “Belief in growth is important for large parts of our society.” This applies to school, sports, work and family life. The test also showed that the method is reliable and independent of age. This opens up opportunities to measure attitudes among different groups and to develop targeted measures that can help people believe in their success.