Encouraging Words May Hinder Student Effort

October 18, 2025 - 17:34

Recent findings suggest that telling students how intelligent they are might not have the positive impact educators expect. In fact, the results of this experiment indicate that the use of encouraging and supportive platitudes could potentially hinder students' motivation and ability to progress.

When students are frequently praised for their intelligence, they may develop a fixed mindset, believing that their capabilities are static rather than something that can be improved through effort and perseverance. This mindset can lead to a reluctance to tackle challenging tasks, as the fear of failure looms larger than the desire to learn and grow.

Instead of fostering resilience, such praise may inadvertently encourage a sense of complacency. Educators are now being urged to focus on praising effort, strategies, and perseverance, which can empower students to embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities for growth. This shift in approach could lead to a more dynamic learning environment that promotes continuous improvement and a love for learning.