Why do growth mindsets make you feel better about learning and your selves? The mediating role of adaptability

ABSTRACT

We argue that growth (vs. fixed) mindsets are important for positive emotions and self-development because growth mindsets can foster adaptability, referring to the ability to adjust oneself in different circumstances. This study examines the role of mindsets in adaptability and whether adaptability, in turn, predicts learning emotions (anxiety and enjoyment), self-concept, and self-efficacy. The data were collected through self-report questionnaires from 211 (141 females and 70 males, M_age= 17.2 years, SD_age= 6.8) Iranian intermediate language learners. The path analysis results showed that fixed mindsets negatively predicted anxiety, enjoyment, self-concept, and self-efficacy through the mediation of adaptability, whereas growth mindsets positively predicted enjoyment, self-concept, and self-efficacy and negatively predicted anxiety through adaptability. The results held even after accounting for ideal L2 self and perceived competence. These findings highlight that growth mindset is an essential factor for developing positive learning emotions and self in foreign language classrooms.

KEYWORDS:

• Language mindsets
• adaptability
• self-efficacy
• self-concept
• enjoyment
• anxiety

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nourollah Zarrinabadi

Nourollah Zarrinabadi (PhD) is an adjunct lecturer at University of Isfahan, Iran. His research interests include psychology of language learning and teaching, language and social psychology, and intercultural communication. He has published several books and articles on these subjects.

Mohsen Rezazadeh

Mohsen Rezazadeh (PhD) is an Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Isfahan. His main research interests include psychology of language learning and teaching, Language mindsets, second language writing, and task-based language learning. He has published several articles in his areas of interest.

Mina Karimi

Mina Karimi is an MA graduate. She is interested in research on language teaching and learning and language and social psychology.

Nigel Mantou Lou

Nigel Mantou Lou (Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and a research fellow at the Centre for Youth & Society at the University of Victoria, Canada. His research focuses on the psychology of language learning, immigration, and intercultural communication.