Self Theories: The Roots of Defensiveness

Question 1

List and describe the two “self-theories” that are described in this chapter. Which one of these theories leads people to be more defensive?

Answer 1

1) Fixed Theory
-These individuals are strongly motivated to prove to themselves and others that they are well endowed and will become defensive in the face of evidence to the contrary.
-These people believe that if they had high ability, they would not have to exert much effort. They believe that all things come easily to people who have true ability
***They are the most defensive

2) Malleable Theory
-These individuals believe that their valued attributes can be developed and learned. They are more interested in learning and are therefore more open to situations and information, even negative information if it will help them learn.

Question 2

This chapter describes how parents can praise children in a way that creates a fixed mindset and how parents can praise children in a way that creates a malleable mindset. Describe how a parent might praise a child to create each mind set.

Answer 2

1. Fixed Mindset
   Research has shown that when children are praised for their underlying traits, such as their intelligence, they adopt a fixed mindset
   Parising intelligence or talent may set a standard of performance that children fear they cannot meet
2. Malleable Mindset
   When children are praised for their progress and effort, they are more likely to adopt a malleable mindset

Question 3

Describe Karen Horney’s theory of “fraudulent bookkeeping,” as described in this chapter.

Answer 3

1. Fraudulent bookkeeping is described as the notion that people alter their mental ledgers to keep the data they want to see and believe in the forefronts of their mind, and negative information is regulated to the back regions of their mind. (so essentially, denial of the negative, hence becoming defensive when its brought up)