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A new study suggests that people with a positive outlook—what researchers call a “growth mindset”—tend to possess higher levels of willpower and passion than those with a more negative mindset. The research, conducted by Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson from the Department of Psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), explores the profound impact a belief in personal growth can have on achieving success.
Sigmundsson, a long-time investigator into what drives people to achieve their goals, collaborated with Professor Monika Haga from NTNU’s Department of Teacher Education to explore how mindset influences traits like passion, determination, and willpower. Their paper, Passion and Grit in Individuals with High Levels of Growth Mindset Are Different Than in Individuals Who Have Low Growth Mindset, was recently published in the journal Acta Psychologica.
The study involved 1,548 participants ranging in age from 13 to 77. The researchers examined various factors contributing to success, including the participants’ belief in their own ability to succeed. They found that individuals with a positive attitude, defined by their strong belief in growth and self-improvement, showed significantly higher levels of passion and determination compared to those with less confidence in their ability to succeed.
“We find large differences in passion and determination when we compare the five percent who have the most positive attitude with the five percent who are the most negative,” said Sigmundsson. The results indicate that individuals who maintain a belief in their own potential are not only more driven but also more resilient in the pursuit of their goals.
The researchers emphasize that these findings extend beyond personal success. They argue that understanding how different mindsets affect various aspects of life, from education to work and family, can help better motivate individuals across different domains. Sigmundsson calls this the “I CAN feeling”—the belief in one’s ability to achieve long-term goals.
“Understanding what characterizes people with different attitudes allows us to better understand how to motivate diverse groups. This can help people set long-term goals and persist in their efforts to achieve them,” Sigmundsson noted.
The study’s implications reach far beyond the realm of personal development, potentially influencing how we approach education, sports, work, and even family life. The belief in growth, Sigmundsson says, is crucial for personal satisfaction and achieving a sense of accomplishment.
By promoting a growth mindset, we may be able to encourage greater effort and perseverance, ultimately contributing to both individual success and broader societal progress.
The full study, Passion and Grit in Individuals with High Levels of Growth Mindset Are Different Than in Individuals Who Have Low Growth Mindset, is published in Acta Psychologica.
For more information, you can read the full paper here.
