A role for educational psychologists in extending research insights from experimental contexts to real-world educational settings

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper contends that supporting young people to hold a growth mindset – the belief that intelligence is malleable and within an individual’s power to develop – offers a potential psychological contribution to existing educational inequalities in the UK. A role for educational psychologists (EPs) in extending research insights from experiment contexts to real-world educational settings is developed, by critically examining Dweck’s intelligence mindset theory in practice: firstly, in terms of key themes and controversies within existent research literature; secondly, utilising an implementation science lens; and finally, through an example of EP involvement in partnership with young people and educators. The understanding accrued permits considerations for a rigorous implementation of growth mindset in schools. These considerations extend beyond much of the existing research about growth mindset at the level of the individual student and utilise the professional expertise and strengths of EPs in seeking to make changes to the system around a child.