Carol Dweck is an American psychologist and professor at Stanford University who developed the concept of mindset. Her 2006 book Mindset introduced the distinction between fixed and growth mindsets, a framework now used across education and business.
Who is Carol Dweck?
Carol Dweck has studied motivation and achievement for decades. Her central insight is that people hold either a fixed belief about their abilities or a growth belief, and that which one you hold changes how you respond to failure, effort and criticism. The idea has become so widespread that she has also written about how it has been misused.
Carol Dweck’s books
- Mindset — her defining book on fixed and growth mindsets
Where should you start?
Start with Mindset. It is her defining book, and the original explanation of growth versus fixed mindsets.
Key ideas in Carol Dweck’s work
- Fixed vs growth mindset — believing abilities are learnable changes how you respond to difficulty
- The power of yet — rephrasing failure as progress transforms how people react to setbacks
- Praise the process — praising effort rather than talent preserves motivation
- Praise can backfire — calling children gifted can make them avoid challenge
Frequently asked questions
What is Carol Dweck best known for?
Carol Dweck is best known for Mindset, which introduced growth mindset and its distinction from a fixed mindset.
Should I read Mindset first?
Yes. It is her defining and most widely read book.
