Why you re smart can backfire

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-07T19:28:58.603Z • Permanent link

Renowned psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck's theory on the growth mindset has been widely adopted in education, emphasizing the importance of praising children's abilities rather than their intelligence. However, recent studies suggest that praising children's intelligence can have unintended consequences. For instance, when children are told they are "smart," it can lead to a fixed mindset, where they believe their intelligence is innate and unchangeable. This mindset can hinder their willingness to take risks and learn from failures.

Several prominent organizations, including the National Education Association and the American Psychological Association, have expressed concerns about the potential drawbacks of praising children's intelligence. Dr. Dweck herself has stated that her theory was not intended to suggest that intelligence is fixed, but rather that it can be developed through effort and learning. Despite this, the phrase "you're so smart" has become a common expression in many households, often with little consideration for the potential impact on children's mental health and development.

Research has shown that praising children's intelligence can also lead to a sense of entitlement, where they begin to believe that their abilities are solely due to their intelligence, rather than any effort or hard work. For example, a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that children who were praised for their intelligence were more likely to exhibit narcissistic tendencies and less likely to engage in self-reflection and learning.

The implications of praising children's intelligence are far-reaching, affecting not only individual children but also entire communities and societies. In the context of data sources, the emphasis on praising intelligence can lead to a focus on raw data and metrics, rather than deeper analysis and contextual understanding. This can result in a lack of nuance and critical thinking in the way that data is interpreted and applied.

For instance, companies like Google and Amazon have been criticized for their use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, which can perpetuate biases and reinforce existing power structures. In this context, praising children's intelligence can be seen as a metaphor for the way that these companies prioritize technical expertise over human judgment and empathy. By emphasizing the importance of raw data and technical skills, these companies can create a culture of compliance and conformity, rather than innovation and creativity.

The debate over praising children's intelligence is part of a larger pattern of competing approaches to education and child development. On one hand, there is the emphasis on social-emotional learning and character development, which prioritizes the development of emotional intelligence and social skills. On the other hand, there is the focus on STEM education and technical skills, which emphasizes the importance of math, science, and programming.