As amazing as it is in encouraging strong learning habits and perseverance… yes, there is a dark side of growth mindset.
Many growth mindset interventions lose sight of the need for safety (both psychological and physiological).
In order for certain features of the brain to be fully accessible – like focused attention, and sequencing things into long-term memory (related to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus), a person has to feel a sense of safety.
Otherwise, their mind-brain-body system is using its resources for vigilance and defense – systems that take blood flow and energy away from the very faculties we need for learning.
If you want to hear more about this, please check out my guest interview on an amazing podcast called Kindsight 101.
click here to play the episode
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