fixed mindset

noun

The belief that one's own intelligence or psychological capabilities are stagnant or unchanging, as opposed to being able to be developed and enhanced through the learning process.

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Meanings

nounfixed mindset (plural fixed mindsets)

plural fixed mindsets

  1. human sciencesThe belief that one's own intelligence or psychological capabilities are stagnant or unchanging, as opposed to being able to be developed and enhanced through the learning process.

Origin

Coined by Carol Dweck.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish muuttumaton asenne
  • muuttumaton asennethe belief that one's own intelligence or abilities are fixed rather than developable through learning
Polish nastawienie na trwałość
  • nastawienie na trwałośćthe belief that one's own intelligence or abilities are fixed rather than developable through learning
Cite this entry
APA

fixed mindset. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fixed%20mindset

MLA

“fixed mindset.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fixed%20mindset. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “fixed mindset,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/fixed%20mindset.

Source: fixed mindset on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.