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Dr. David Yeager: How to Master Growth Mindset to Improve Performance

Andrew Huberman・2 minutes read

Growth mindset interventions aim to change participants' mindset through presenting new scientific information and emphasizing effort, leading to improved performance over time. Encouraging a culture of contribution and pro-social behavior can enhance motivation and integrity in achieving goals.

Insights

  • Growth mindset, emphasizing that abilities can change under the right conditions, leads to improved performance and long-term benefits.
  • Interventions involving scientific information, success stories, and personal narratives can effectively shift mindsets towards growth and long-term application.
  • Stress can be reframed as a positive force enhancing performance, with mindset changes impacting physiological responses.
  • Balancing high standards with high support in feedback fosters growth and development, addressing the mentors' dilemma effectively.

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Recent questions

  • What is a growth mindset?

    A growth mindset is the belief that abilities can change under the right conditions, not just through effort. It involves understanding that intelligence and skills can be developed with practice, learning, and perseverance. Individuals with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities for growth and see failures as learning experiences rather than setbacks. Embracing a growth mindset can lead to increased motivation, resilience, and ultimately, improved performance in various aspects of life.

  • How can one develop a growth mindset?

    Developing a growth mindset involves various interventions aimed at changing individuals' beliefs about their abilities and potential. These interventions include presenting new scientific information about the brain's ability to grow and change, sharing stories of success from others who have overcome challenges, and having participants write their own stories to internalize the concept. By engaging in these activities, individuals can shift their mindset from a fixed view of abilities to a more flexible and growth-oriented perspective, leading to improved motivation, learning, and performance.

  • What is the significance of reframing stress as a positive force?

    Reframing stress as a positive force involves changing one's mindset about stress from being a hindrance to being a resource for enhancing performance. By viewing stress as a challenge that can lead to growth and improvement rather than a threat, individuals can alter their physiological responses to stress and approach demanding situations with a more positive mindset. This shift in perspective can help individuals cope better with stress, improve their performance under pressure, and ultimately lead to greater success in various endeavors.

  • How can feedback be effectively delivered to promote growth and development?

    Effective feedback that promotes growth and development involves combining high standards with high support. By setting clear expectations and providing constructive criticism while also offering encouragement, guidance, and resources, individuals can receive feedback that motivates them to improve and reach their full potential. This balanced approach creates a dynamic and encouraging environment for growth, where individuals feel challenged yet supported in their efforts to learn, develop, and succeed.

  • Why is it important to find purpose in contributing to others?

    Finding purpose in contributing to others is crucial for motivation, resilience, and overall well-being. When individuals focus on making a difference and helping others through their actions and work, they experience greater satisfaction, fulfillment, and a sense of meaning in their lives. This approach to goal pursuit goes beyond material rewards and personal gain, leading to deeper engagement, persistence, and a more sustainable drive to achieve one's goals. By aligning one's efforts with the goal of benefiting others, individuals can cultivate a sense of purpose that fuels their motivation and resilience in the face of challenges.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Science-based tools for mindset and success"

  • The Huberman Lab podcast discusses science and science-based tools for everyday life, hosted by Andrew Huberman, a professor at Stanford School of Medicine.
  • Dr. David Joerger, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, is a leading researcher in growth mindset and stress as a performance-enhancing mindset.
  • Dr. Joerger authored a book titled "10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People," set for release in the summer of 2024.
  • Growth mindset is the belief that abilities can change under the right conditions, not just through effort.
  • A study involving ninth graders showed that a short growth mindset intervention led to improved grades and math class placements even four years later.
  • A study by David Newbound and Carol Dweck highlighted the difference in mindset reactions to failure, with fixed mindset individuals looking down and growth mindset individuals looking up for improvement.
  • Growth mindset interventions involve presenting new scientific information, sharing stories of success, and having participants write their own stories to internalize the concept.
  • The interventions aim to change participants' mindset in a short time, ensuring they remember and apply the new mindset over the long term.
  • Wise interventions, like growth mindset, include presenting scientific information, sharing success stories, and having participants write their own stories to internalize the concept.
  • The approach of "saying is believing" encourages participants to write narratives about overcoming struggles with the belief that change is possible.

14:56

"Stories Shape Beliefs, Enhance Performance, and Health"

  • The brain is compared to a muscle that grows stronger when challenged, leading to increased intelligence.
  • Writing a story about overcoming challenges can help develop a growth mindset.
  • Brain circuits related to growth mindset behaviors can be activated through storytelling.
  • Lay Theory interventions involve changing individuals' intuitive theories to influence their interpretations of experiences.
  • Stories are effective in shaping individuals' beliefs and responses to challenges.
  • Effort beliefs are crucial in promoting a growth mindset, emphasizing the importance of interpreting effort positively.
  • Stress can be reframed as a positive force that enhances performance rather than hindering it.
  • Physiological responses to stress can be altered by changing one's mindset about stress.
  • Reframing stress as a resource to be cultivated, paired with a growth mindset, can lead to improved performance.
  • Consuming AG1 provides essential vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and micronutrients for overall health and well-being.

30:22

"Health, Stress, and Resources for Optimal Performance"

  • Health supports immune system and brain health, impacting various cellular and organ processes.
  • Certain supplements target specific outcomes like better sleep or alertness, while ag1 offers foundational nutritional support for overall brain and body systems related to mental and physical health.
  • To try ag1, visit drinka1.com/huberman for a special offer of five free travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D3 K2.
  • Language deficit in understanding stress and arousal could be resolved by reframing stress as performance-enhancing rather than diminishing.
  • Stressors are distinct from stress responses, with stressors being demands that may not always be negative, while responses can vary based on individual appraisals.
  • Appraisal of stressors influences physiological responses, with threat-type responses triggered by perceiving stressors as overwhelming and leading to a fight-or-flight reaction.
  • Social stressors, like social exclusion or professional criticism, can evoke similar physiological responses as physical stressors, highlighting the importance of appraisals.
  • Distinguishing between challenge-type stress and threat-type stress is crucial, as high arousal can be positive or negative based on one's perception of their ability to handle the demand.
  • Resources, including internal confidence and external support, play a significant role in appraising stressors and shifting from a threat to a challenge response.
  • Transforming stress and effort into perceived resources can enhance coping mechanisms and physiological responses, promoting a more positive mindset for performance.

45:21

Balancing Criticism and Support for Growth

  • The concept of the Mentor mindset, applicable to individuals aged 10 to 25 and beyond, stems from research on the "mentors dilemma" by Jeff Cohen and Claude Steel at Stanford in the 90s.
  • The mentors dilemma highlights the challenge of balancing criticism with motivation in leadership roles, where being overly critical can demotivate individuals, while being overly supportive can hinder growth.
  • The solution to the mentors dilemma involves appealing to high standards while assuring individuals that they can meet those standards with feedback and support.
  • A key aspect of effective feedback is combining high standards with high support, creating a dynamic and encouraging environment for growth.
  • The importance of maintaining high standards and support is emphasized in the example of a student receiving critical feedback on an essay, showcasing the impact of transparent communication.
  • Dr. Becky Kennedy emphasizes the significance of individuals feeling "real" and safe, highlighting the importance of believing in others even when disagreeing with them.
  • The idea of having high expectations while showing love and support is crucial in the wise feedback Mentor mindset, demonstrating a balanced approach to growth and development.
  • The discussion delves into the evolutionary perspective on human striving, suggesting that the pursuit of improvement and change is inherent in human nature.
  • Adolescence is highlighted as a critical period where individuals transition from relying on parental care to seeking social validation, impacting their sense of self-worth and social standing.
  • The pursuit of feeling better and learning to navigate social hierarchies are key drivers of behavior during adolescence, influenced by changes in the brain's dopaminergic system and social dynamics.

01:00:24

Adolescent Songbirds Learn Mating Calls Without Testosterone

  • Songbirds learning mating calls without testosterone leads to less obsessive practice and mastery failure.
  • Peter Marler, a biologist, studied bird song learning at UC Davis.
  • Bird song learning mirrors human speech development with a babbling phase.
  • Testosterone drives obsessive practice for demonstrating mate value.
  • Adolescents often focus on activities that bring status and value.
  • Adolescents find their niche and strive to excel within it.
  • Social hierarchies in high schools vary, affecting adjustment levels.
  • Multiple hierarchies in high schools offer more routes to status.
  • Testosterone levels impact neural reactivity and risk-taking behavior in adolescents.
  • Growth mindset applies differently across various life domains and requires domain-specific interventions.

01:15:03

Supportive Culture and Advanced Courses Boost Success.

  • Low-achieving students in high schools benefit from a supportive classroom culture.
  • Schools offering more advanced courses positively impact low-achieving students.
  • The presence of a growth mindset is crucial for student success.
  • Collaboration between psychologists and sociologists is essential for addressing inequality.
  • The combination of psychological interventions and sociological considerations is key for success.
  • Growth mindset focuses on removing cultural and social barriers to goal pursuit.
  • Human beings are inherently active learners striving to interpret the world.
  • Emotions play a significant role in driving tactical decisions and learning.
  • Fear and love are core emotions that can drive motivation.
  • People are capable of making significant contributions when given the opportunity and support.

01:30:11

"Chip England: Transforming Players Through Trust"

  • Shane Bader, a former college and pro basketball player, shared insights about Chip England, a renowned shooting coach.
  • Chip England worked with the San Antonio Spurs during their 17-year run as championship contenders, focusing on players with poor shooting skills.
  • Examples include Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker, who improved their shooting under England's guidance.
  • England emphasizes building trust with young players to convince them to change their shooting technique.
  • He motivates players by highlighting the potential for a long, successful career with a reliable jump shot.
  • England's approach contrasts with using fear of loss as a motivator, focusing on the positive impact players can have on others.
  • Studies show that finding meaning in life and contributing to others leads to greater life satisfaction and well-being.
  • Research demonstrates that framing tasks as opportunities to contribute to others leads to deeper learning and higher persistence.
  • Teenagers showed greater engagement in tedious tasks when motivated by the prospect of making a difference rather than material rewards.
  • The concept of finding purpose in contributing to others is crucial for motivation and resilience, offering a more fulfilling and sustainable approach to achieving goals.

01:45:16

Enhancing Motivation and Integrity in Research

  • Law school admission can be achieved through various methods, not just by focusing on journal ratings from the 1920s.
  • Presenting a persuasive argument about the impact of research can lead to more accurate measurements and scrutiny from skeptics.
  • Platforms like Pub Peer allow for online evaluation of papers, highlighting errors and suggesting improvements in analysis or conclusions.
  • The focus on catching errors and fraud in research motivates scientists to document their work meticulously and be prepared for scrutiny.
  • Encouraging a mindset of contribution and pro-social behavior can enhance motivation and lead to high-quality work with integrity.
  • Combining self-interest with pro-social contributions can be more motivating than solely focusing on financial rewards in achieving goals.
  • Mentoring employees to make contributions beyond their job description can lead to skill development, career advancement, and personal fulfillment.
  • Critiquing and identifying errors in research plays a crucial role in maintaining integrity and quality in scientific work.
  • Tools like AI can aid in identifying errors in data sets, images, or plots, contributing to the correction of scientific literature.
  • Balancing self-interest with a focus on contribution can lead to meaningful work, personal growth, and positive impact on society.

01:59:31

"Unpacking Online Criticism: Incentives and Mindsets"

  • Critically examines the concept of online criticism and the mindset behind leaving negative comments on social media.
  • Suggests that there must be an underlying incentive for individuals to engage in such behavior.
  • Speculates that this behavior may not be new and could have roots in historical societal elements.
  • Discusses the idea of a fixed mindset as a cultural and leadership variable, leading to hypercriticism to protect oneself from being attacked.
  • Mentions Mary Murphy's book "Cultures of Growth" that explores the negative impact of a fixed mindset culture on organizations like Microsoft.
  • Describes a toxic culture at Microsoft during the Balmer era, where mistakes were not tolerated, leading to unethical behavior and a fear of being exposed as not a genius.
  • Highlights the change in culture at Microsoft under Satya Nadella to promote a growth mindset and learning from mistakes.
  • Draws parallels to Boeing's culture under Calhoun, where a stack ranking system led to a fear of mistakes and unethical behavior.
  • Contrasts the culture of genius with a culture of growth, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and learning from mistakes.
  • Shares examples of labs at Vanderbilt and Fisk University that prioritize grit, resilience, and drive over standardized metrics, leading to diverse and successful outcomes in physics research.

02:13:53

Selecting Students: Ethics, Quality, Drive, Success

  • When selecting students, evaluating ethics, work quality, and drive is crucial.
  • A colleague suggested sorting students by GRE scores, emphasizing standardized testing.
  • Standardized tests are seen as necessary but not sufficient, with nuances and exceptions.
  • GRE scores can be influenced by training and past advantages, affecting equity.
  • Setting aside GRE scores in physics admissions led to successful student outcomes.
  • The focus should be on mentoring and training students, breaking past advantages.
  • The speaker's interest in mindset research stemmed from personal experiences and choices.
  • The speaker's shift from law to education was influenced by motivating teenagers.
  • The speaker's work focuses on helping individuals be their best for personal and global benefit.
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