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Chapter 2 - Growth Mindset

Normalization of Perpetual Improvement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2020

Stephen Vassallo
Affiliation:
American University, Washington DC
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Summary

Growth mindset is defined as the belief that with hard work and effort persons can improve intelligence, talent, and ability. This so-called mindset is associated with persons who have achieved certain versions of success and is, thus, treated as a necessary quality to instill in students. Although appealing, especially in relation to its apparent binary, the notion of growth mindset is underpinned by certain assumptions about selfhood, the operation of systems, and values for being. Features of growth mindset include a commitment to perpetual improvement and added value, a vision of selfhood as in process, orientation to pursue an elusive endpoint, assessments of lack, and responsibilized individualism. These features are foundational to neoliberal selfhood.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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  • Growth Mindset
  • Stephen Vassallo, American University, Washington DC
  • Book: Neoliberal Selfhood
  • Online publication: 03 December 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108769402.002
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  • Growth Mindset
  • Stephen Vassallo, American University, Washington DC
  • Book: Neoliberal Selfhood
  • Online publication: 03 December 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108769402.002
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Growth Mindset
  • Stephen Vassallo, American University, Washington DC
  • Book: Neoliberal Selfhood
  • Online publication: 03 December 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108769402.002
Available formats
×