Abstract
We investigated whether a growth mindset intervention could be leveraged to promote performance and interest in computer science, through what mechanisms it might do so, and whether effects were stronger for women than for men. In particular, we explored whether the growth mindset intervention improved academic performance and career interest by increasing intrinsic value. We developed and tested a scalable, online, 4-session growth mindset intervention at 7 universities, across 16 introductory computer science classes (N = 491). The intervention did not have a significant total effect on academic performance, although it indirectly improved grades via value. Additionally, the intervention, relative to the control, improved interest in the field and value also mediated this effect. Counter to expectations, the intervention worked equally well for women and men. Theoretical and practical applications are discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Social Psychological and Personality Science |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- career interest
- computer science
- growth mindsets
- interventions
- performance
Cite this
}
A Growth Mind-Set Intervention Improves Interest but Not Academic Performance in the Field of Computer Science. / Burnette, Jeni L.; Hoyt, Crystal L.; Russell, V. Michelle; Lawson, Barry; Dweck, Carol S.; Finkel, Eli.
In: Social Psychological and Personality Science, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - A Growth Mind-Set Intervention Improves Interest but Not Academic Performance in the Field of Computer Science
AU - Burnette, Jeni L.
AU - Hoyt, Crystal L.
AU - Russell, V. Michelle
AU - Lawson, Barry
AU - Dweck, Carol S.
AU - Finkel, Eli
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - We investigated whether a growth mindset intervention could be leveraged to promote performance and interest in computer science, through what mechanisms it might do so, and whether effects were stronger for women than for men. In particular, we explored whether the growth mindset intervention improved academic performance and career interest by increasing intrinsic value. We developed and tested a scalable, online, 4-session growth mindset intervention at 7 universities, across 16 introductory computer science classes (N = 491). The intervention did not have a significant total effect on academic performance, although it indirectly improved grades via value. Additionally, the intervention, relative to the control, improved interest in the field and value also mediated this effect. Counter to expectations, the intervention worked equally well for women and men. Theoretical and practical applications are discussed.
AB - We investigated whether a growth mindset intervention could be leveraged to promote performance and interest in computer science, through what mechanisms it might do so, and whether effects were stronger for women than for men. In particular, we explored whether the growth mindset intervention improved academic performance and career interest by increasing intrinsic value. We developed and tested a scalable, online, 4-session growth mindset intervention at 7 universities, across 16 introductory computer science classes (N = 491). The intervention did not have a significant total effect on academic performance, although it indirectly improved grades via value. Additionally, the intervention, relative to the control, improved interest in the field and value also mediated this effect. Counter to expectations, the intervention worked equally well for women and men. Theoretical and practical applications are discussed.
KW - career interest
KW - computer science
KW - growth mindsets
KW - interventions
KW - performance
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85064619373&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85064619373&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1948550619841631
DO - 10.1177/1948550619841631
M3 - Article
JO - Social Psychological & Personality Science
JF - Social Psychological & Personality Science
SN - 1948-5506
ER -