Do you know what is a Potential paradox?
Well for that you must know who is Carol Dweck!
It is actually a common occurrence! There are two kids; both get 100 in a test and to one you say, well done! You are naturally gifted and you deserve it!
To the other you say, wow! You worked hard for it! Good job!
These are the two compliments we usually give! Or a mixture of the two!
Which kid do you think succeed in future!
Well according to Carol it is the kid who has been told that he worked hard and got it and not the one who has been told that he or she is natural!
That is potential paradox!
The potential paradox thus refers to a psychological phenomenon where people who are praised for being naturally “gifted” or “smart” end up achieving less over time than those praised for their effort and hard work!
This is because of the Praise Trap!
When children are told they are naturally talented, they feel they have something fragile to lose!
These kids who feel that they have an inbuilt talent then develop a Fear of Failure!
Hard tasks become a threat to their identity. If they have to struggle, they worry it means they were never actually smart!
Then comes the Avoidance! Gifted-praised individuals often avoid difficult challenges to protect their self-image, whereas effort-praised individuals embrace challenges as a way to grow!
This was famously studied by psychologist Carol Dweck in 1998, laying the groundwork for fixed vs. growth mindset concepts which is the topic for some other day!
For now remember that encouragement is important, but it is also necessary to state the importance of hard work! Just because once in a while a child gets good grade in spite of not doing hard work, that should not be the norm!
Even other wise, only if the child works hard for the grade will he or she actually appreciate the success truly and whole heartedly!
Even praising someone is a big responsibility!
Then again you can fearlessly praise someone as talented Gautam Gambhir!
Now do think about the Potential for a paradox in your sleep! Or not!
SHubh ratri!
