Growth mindset: less cognitive fusion and negative information bias

A new study by Zhao et al. (2024) provides insight into the benefits of a growth mindset. The study examines how a growth mindset can contribute to greater mental resilience and adaptability. This specifically examines the role of cognitive fusion and negative information bias.

Background to the study

The researchers wanted to understand how growth mindset, cognitive fusion, and prejudices about negative information are related.

• Carol Dweck developed the concept of a growth mindset. This means that people believe that they can develop skills and intelligence through effort and learning.
• Cognitive fusion means that a person sees thoughts as absolute truths. This can lead to psychological rigidity.

The research team wanted to discover whether a growth mindset can counteract cognitive fusion. They investigated whether a growth mindset helps people to pay less attention to negative and more to positive information. (Read more about the negative information bias).

Method

The research team recruited 470 Chinese university students. They used convenience sampling. After excluding 68 participants due to missing data, 402 students remained. The average age was 18.77 years. They used three measuring instruments:

1. Growth Mindset Scale (GMS): Participants scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree).
2. Attention to Positive and Negative Information Scale (APNI): This measures the tendency to pay attention to positive or negative information. Scores ranged from 1 (very inconsistent) to 5 (very consistent).
3. Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ): This measures cognitive fusion. Participants scored from 1 (very inconsistent) to 7 (very consistent).

Results

They found the following results:

• A negative correlation was found between growth mindset and cognitive fusion (r = -0.344, p < 0.001).
• Participants with a higher growth mindset showed less cognitive fusion.
• Preference for negative information was found to play a mediating role in the relationship between growth mindset and cognitive fusion.
• Students with a growth mindset were less likely to focus on negative information.
• This reduced focus on negative information subsequently led to a decrease in cognitive fusion.

Reflection and implications

This research provides evidence that developing a growth mindset can improve mental health by reducing cognitive fusion. This insight is useful for education and care. The results suggest that growth mindset interventions can make students more resilient and better able to deal with negative thoughts and events.