Self-theories: Their Role in Motivation, Personality, and Development (Essays in Social Psychology) (Paperback)

by Carol Dweck (Author) "The hallmark of successful individuals is that they love learning, they seek challenges, they value effort, and they persist in the face of obstacles (see..." (more)
Key Phrases: students with learning goals, cremental theory, incremental theorists, African American, Sheri Levy, Albert Einstein (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Based on extensive research with children and young adults, this book examines adaptive and maladaptive cognitive-motivational patterns and shows how these patterns originate in people's self theories; their consequences for one's achievment, social relationships, and emotional well-being; thier consequences for society; and the experiences that create these cognitive-motivational patterns. -- Resources in Education
What we have here is no ordinary scholarly psychology volume. Ever so rarely, we are offered a psychology book that is so beautifully written, lucidly organized, and elegant in its description of ideas... I see many uses for this wonderful volume. Instead of having to put together a rather large stack of reprints to introduce students to her groundbreaking work, I now can refer them to something far better -- the author's view of how her work has developed over the years. -- Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
[This book] describes pathbreaking research in a style that is accessible to many audiences. It calls into question some of the most widely-held beliefs . . . about effective practices for maximizing children's self-confidence and learning. -- Deborah Stipek, UCLA
The book is central to basic issues in social, personality, and developmental psychology. Indeed, it is like a guided tour through the scenic terrain of Carol's fascinating program of research. The writing is lively and engaging and the organization is unusually clear. The examples are well-chosen and intuitively compelling; they are easy to relate to our own lives and to the people that we know. -- Diane N. Ruble, New York University
[This book] is simply among the best book in psychology I've read during the past year or two. It's superb. . . I could hardly put [it] down. -- Robert J. Sternberg , Yale University
The book is central to basic issues in social, personality, and developmental psychology. Indeed, it is like a guided tour through the scenic terrain of Carol's fascinating program of research. The writing is lively and engaging and the organization is unusually clear. The examples are well-chosen and intuitively compelling; they are easy to relate to our own lives and to the people that we know. -- Diane N. Ruble, New York University
[T]his is an important book addressing fundamental problems of enduring interest. [W]e think Self-Theories should be read by anyone with a serious interest in children's motivation, academic achievement or social development. -- Human Development
This book does a great deal to undo the damage done by psychology books which have emphasised the importance of intelligence and of fixed stages which pupils and students cannot move out of, or work beyond... The contents of this delightful affirming book should be known to every teacher and every pupil, and most of all to every teacher trainer. -- David Turner, University of Glamorgan. -- Book Review

Based on extensive research with children and young adults, this book examines adaptive and maladaptive cognitive-motivational patterns and shows how these patterns originate in peoples self theories; their consequences for ones achievment, social relationships, and emotional well-being; thier consequences for society; and the experiences that create these cognitive-motivational patterns. -- Resources in Education
What we have here is no ordinary scholarly psychology volume. Ever so rarely, we are offered a psychology book that is so beautifully written, lucidly organized, and elegant in its description of ideas... I see many uses for this wonderful volume. Instead of having to put together a rather large stack of reprints to introduce students to her groundbreaking work, I now can refer them to something far better -- the authors view of how her work has developed over the years. -- Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
[This book] describes pathbreaking research in a style that is accessible to many audiences. It calls into question some of the most widely-held beliefs . . . about effective practices for maximizing childrens self-confidence and learning. -- Deborah Stipek, UCLA
The book is central to basic issues in social, personality, and developmental psychology. Indeed, it is like a guided tour through the scenic terrain of Carols fascinating program of research. The writing is lively and engaging and the organization is unusually clear. The examples are well-chosen and intuitively compelling; they are easy to relate to our own lives and to the people that we know. -- Diane N. Ruble, New York University
[This book] is simply among the best book in psychology Ive read during the past year or two. Its superb. . . I could hardly put [it] down. -- Robert J. Sternberg , Yale University
The book is central to basic issues in social, personality, and developmental psychology. Indeed, it is like a guided tour through the scenic terrain of Carols fascinating program of research. The writing is lively and engaging and the organization is unusually clear. The examples are well-chosen and intuitively compelling; they are easy to relate to our own lives and to the people that we know. -- Diane N. Ruble, New York University
[T]his is an important book addressing fundamental problems of enduring interest. [W]e think Self-Theories should be read by anyone with a serious interest in childrens motivation, academic achievement or social development. -- Human Development
This book does a great deal to undo the damage done by psychology books which have emphasised the importance of intelligence and of fixed stages which pupils and students cannot move out of, or work beyond... The contents of this delightful affirming book should be known to every teacher and every pupil, and most of all to every teacher trainer. -- David Turner, University of Glamorgan. -- Book Review

Product Description
This innovative text sheds light on how people work - why they sometimes function well and, at other times, behave in ways that are self-defeating or destructive. Dweck presents her groundbreaking research on adaptive and maladaptive cognitive-motivational patterns and shows:

*How these patterns originate in people's self-theories

*Their consequences for the person - for achievement, social relationships, and emotional well-being

*Their consequences for society, from issues of human potential to stereotyping and intergroup relations

*The experiences that create them.

This outstanding text is a must-read for researchers in social psychology, child development, and education, and is appropriate for both graduate and senior undergraduate students in these areas.

The book is central to basic issues in social, personality, and developmental psychology. Indeed, it is like a guided tour through the scenic terrain of Carol's fascinating program of research. The writing is lively and engaging and the organization is unusually clear. The examples are well-chosen and intuitively compelling; they are easy to relate to our own lives and to the people that we know -- Diane N. Ruble, New York University

[This book] is simply among the best book in psychology I've read during the past year or two. It's superb. . . I could hardly put [it] down -- Robert J. Sternberg, Yale University

[This book] describes path breaking research in a style that is accessible to many audiences. It calls into question some of the most widely-held beliefs . . . about effective practices for maximizing children's self-confidence and learning -- Deborah Stipek, UCLA

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Psychology Press; 1 edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841690244
• ISBN-13: 978-1841690247
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,014 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #8 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Experimental Psychology
  #29 in	Books > Science > Behavioral Sciences > Behavioral Psychology
  #65 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Personality

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely a Fascinating Read - a review of "Self-theories", December 30, 2005

By	Pam Tee "Harmless" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is a fascinating book. And while I'm just a mom with no particular background in psychological research, I found I had no difficulty either understanding the procedures of the research, or finding `everyday' applications for the profound information that Carol Dweck and associates provide.

In fact I wish I had read this book earlier because it has a great deal to teach about how children devise concepts of themselves (self image) and how we might avoid the pitfalls of rearing a child who `gives up' too easily.

Five Stars. Very interesting. The other reviewers are right. This is a fast paced, good read that explains Carol Dweck's research into personality, motivation and development. As a mom of a 3 and 5 year old, I wish that I had come across this book earlier.

As Amazon's `Search inside this book' feature only lists page one of the Table of Contents, I've typed out the second page for your info.

Chapter 14 -- How Does It All Begin? Young Children's Theories About Goodness and Badness

Chapter 15 -- Kinds Of Praise And Criticism: The Origins Of Vulnerability

Chapter 16 -- Praising Intelligence: More Praise That Backfires

Chapter 17 -- Misconceptions About Self-Esteem and About How To Foster It

Chapter 18 -- Personality, Motivation, Development, and The Self: Theoretical Reflections

Chapter 19 -- Final Thoughts On Controversial Issues

References
Appendix: Measures Of Implicit Theories, Confidence, and Goals
Index

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scary title, great book!, August 13, 2000

By A Customer

I was intimidated by the title of this book, and was afraid it was going to be highly academic. However, the book is completely accessible and fascinating. Dr. Dweck describes her remarkable studies on motivation and achievement, and shows that a fixed view of intelligence (meaning: either you're born smart or you're not) sells us short. Her work has enormous implications for both childrearing and teaching. This book should be required reading for all parents and teachers.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PENETRATING EXAMINATION OF THE SELF...RECOMMENDED., January 10, 2000

By	Gerry Stern "Stern's Management Review Online" (Culver City, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Self-Theories: Their Role in Motivation, Personality, and Development (Essays in Social Psychology Series) (Hardcover)

The author shows how people develop beliefs about themselves (self-theories) and how these create their psychological world, shaping how they think, feel, and act. Her focus is on motivation, personality, the self, and development. The text, describes original research findings and conclusions, It reveals why, at times, people work well, and at other times they are self-defeating. Dweck examines adaptive and maladaptive cognitive motivational patterns and shows: how these patterns originate in people's self-theories; their consequences for the person's achievement, social relationships and emotional well-being; and consequences for society, from issues of human potential to stereotyping and intergroup reactions.

Dweck's conclusions explore the implications for the concept of self-esteem, suggesting a rethinking of its role in motivation, and the conditions that foster it. A penetrating analysis of complex subjects. Reviewed by Gerry Stern and Yvette Borcia, founders, Stern & Associates and HR Knowledge Network, authors of Stern's Sourcefinder: The Master Directory to HR and Business Management Information & Resources, Stern's CyberSpace SourceFinder, and Stern's Compensation and Benefits.