Effort Praise vs. Ability Praise: Fueling the Growth Mindset

“Failure is information – we label it failure, but it's more like, 'This didn't work, and I'm a problem solver, so I'll try something else.’”
— Carol Dweck

Effort Praise vs. Ability Praise: Fueling the Growth Mindset

As the summer closes and a new school and sport season is approaching us, I wanted to talk about a way we as parents, coaches, and teachers, can help set our kids up for success. In classrooms, boardrooms, and even at home, praise is a powerful tool. But not all praise is created equal. The way we commend others, especially children and learners, can shape how they view themselves, their abilities, and their potential. Two common forms of praise are effort praise (“You worked really hard on this!”) and ability praise (“You’re so smart!”). While both may seem encouraging, research shows that effort praise is far more effective in promoting resilience, motivation, and a growth mindset.

Understanding the Difference

Ability praise focuses on innate traits such as intelligence, talent, or natural aptitude. It implies that success stems from fixed qualities. In contrast, effort praise emphasizes the process through hard work, persistence, and strategy. It sends the message that improvement is possible through dedication and learning. This distinction is central to psychologist Carol Dweck’s theory of mindsets. According to Dweck, individuals with a fixed mindset believe their abilities are static, while those with a growth mindset believe they can develop skills through effort and learning. The type of praise we give can nudge people toward one mindset or the other.

The Science Behind Effort Praise

A landmark study by Mueller and Dweck (1998) found that children praised for their intelligence were more likely to develop a fixed mindset, avoid challenges, and give up easily after failure. There were more focused on the outcome and, after failure, performed worse. In contrast, children praised for effort were more likely to embrace challenges, persist through difficulty, and improve their performance over time.

More recent research supports these findings. A 2021 study by Zarrinabadi et al. found that students who received effort praise showed increased growth mindset, reduced speaking anxiety, and greater willingness to communicate. Those praised for ability, however, experienced the opposite: decreased motivation and increased anxiety.

Another study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that children who received ability praise were more likely to engage in self-handicapping, deliberately reducing effort to protect their self-image in case of failure. Effort praise, on the other hand, led to more adaptive responses, such as attributing failure to controllable factors and trying harder next time.

Effort Praise and Resilience in Life

Effort praise doesn’t just improve academic outcomes, it builds resilience, a critical life skill. When individuals are taught that success comes from effort, they are more likely to persist through adversity. They learn to see failure not as a reflection of their worth, but as a stepping stone to growth.

In contrast, individuals who are consistently praised for their abilities may struggle when they encounter real-world challenges. Without the experience of overcoming obstacles, they may lack the coping mechanisms needed to bounce back. This is especially true for those who have not faced significant adversity early in life. When difficulties eventually arise, as they inevitably do, these individuals may feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or even helpless.

Effort praise prepares people for the long game. It teaches them that setbacks are normal, that growth is possible, and that their actions matter. This mindset is essential not just for academic or career success, but for navigating relationships, health challenges, and personal development.

Practical Implications

Whether you're a teacher, parent, or coach, the way you praise matters. Here are a few tips to foster a growth mindset through effort-based praise: 

• Be specific: Instead of saying “Good job,” try “I noticed how you kept trying different strategies until you solved the problem.”

• Focus on the process: Highlight effort, strategies, and improvement rather than outcomes or traits.

• Encourage reflection: Ask questions like “What did you learn from this?” or “What would you try differently next time?”

• Normalize struggle: Reinforce that challenges are a natural and valuable part of learning.

Conclusion

Effort praise does more than make people feel good. It builds resilience, fosters motivation, and cultivates a mindset that thrives on growth. In a world that often celebrates talent and quick wins, shifting our praise from “You’re so smart” to “You worked really hard” can empower individuals to act, adapt, and persevere – all qualities that are essential not just for success, but for mental and emotional well-being. By shifting our focus from how we feel about ourselves to what we believe we can do, we unlock a more resilient and empowered version of ourselves.