Scientists Develop New Tool to Measure Growth Mindset, Challenging Previous Understanding
Norwegian researchers have created a groundbreaking new way to measure one of psychology's most powerful predictors of success: the growth mindset. Their findings not only introduce a more comprehensive measurement tool but also reveal surprising insights about who tends to possess this valuable trait.
## A New Way to Measure Mental Growth
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have developed an eight-question scale that effectively measures growth mindset—the belief that one's abilities can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. The study, published in New Ideas in Psychology, tested the scale on 723 participants aged 16 to 85, proving its reliability across all age groups.
"An individual's belief in growth is important," explains Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson from NTNU's Department of Psychology. "People with growth mindsets see challenges as opportunities for learning."
## The Eight Questions That Reveal Your Mindset
The new scale asks participants to rate themselves from 1 ("not like me at all") to 5 ("very much like me") on these statements:
1. I know that with effort I can improve my skills and knowledge
2. I can influence and change my development in general
3. I can change my skills and knowledge through practice
4. I like to take challenges and try new things
5. I see learning as my goal
6. Effort makes me stronger
7. I want to spend more time and work more on an area/theme/skill to develop my skills and knowledge
8. I have faith in my own skills and my possibilities
## Surprising Gender Differences
One of the study's most unexpected findings challenges common assumptions about growth mindset. Men scored notably higher (4.36 out of 5) compared to women (4.27 out of 5). Researchers suggest this difference might be linked to previously observed patterns in "passion for achievement" and underlying neurobiological factors.
## Beyond Traditional Measurements
The new scale proves more comprehensive than existing tools, showing stronger connections to other crucial psychological factors like passion and grit. This suggests it captures aspects of a growth mindset that previous measurements missed.
## Implications for Education and Beyond
The timing of this new measurement tool is particularly relevant as understanding the growth mindset becomes increasingly crucial across various sectors:
- **Education**: Schools can better identify and nurture growth mindset in students
- **Workplace**: Organizations can develop more effective training and development programs
- **Sports**: Coaches can better assess and cultivate mental resilience
- **Personal Development**: Individuals can better understand and develop their own mindset
## Study Details and Limitations
The research team used a digital questionnaire platform to collect responses from 723 Norwegian participants. While the scale showed strong reliability, researchers noted some limitations:
- The sample included more women (425) than men (298)
- Further testing in different cultural contexts is needed
- More research is required to understand how a growth mindset develops throughout life
## Looking Forward
This new measurement tool opens up exciting possibilities for understanding how mindset influences success across different domains. Its strong correlations with passion and grit suggest it could become a valuable predictor of achievement in various fields.
The research followed ethical guidelines established by Norway's National Committee for Research Ethics in Social Sciences and the Humanities (NESH) and was conducted as part of the authors' academic work at NTNU.