EdSight

Carol Dweck is a renowned educational psychologist whose work has significantly advanced understanding of motivation, intelligence, and personality. She pursued her undergraduate degree in psychology at Barnard College and earned her graduate studies at Yale University, where she developed her foundational research in cognitive psychology and learning theory. Mentored by notable scholars such as Dr. Allan Wagner and Dr. Robert Rescorla, she deepened her expertise in cognitive and animal learning, which laid the groundwork for her later work.

Throughout her career, Dweck has combined insights from various branches of psychology, including developmental, social, and clinical psychology, to explore how individuals cope with failure and develop their self-concept. Her early research focused on learned helplessness and achievement goal theory, examining how attribution and beliefs about ability influence motivation and response to challenges. Her groundbreaking concept of implicit theories of intelligence—particularly the distinction between fixed and growth mindsets—has transformed educational practices and research.

Dweck’s work extends beyond childhood and adolescence, applying her theories to college students and adults, emphasizing the importance of mindset in lifelong learning and resilience. She has held faculty positions at prestigious institutions such as Yale, Harvard, Columbia, and currently Stanford University. Her research continues to inspire educators, policymakers, and psychologists worldwide, shaping strategies to improve motivation, reduce achievement gaps, and foster a growth-oriented learning environment.

Throughout her illustrious career, Carol Dweck has received numerous awards for her scientific contributions and remains dedicated to expanding her influential theories. Her ongoing work aims to deepen our understanding of how beliefs about ourselves shape our potential and how fostering a growth mindset can lead to greater success and well-being for all learners.