Most dictionaries define mindset as
- an attitude, disposition or mood
- an intention or inclination
In Wikipedia mindset is defined as a set of assumptions, methods or notations. And by Carol Dweck [Ph.D. in Social Science and Developmental Psychology at Yale University] in her remarkable book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, as two fundamental psychological attitudes or orientations, which she refers to as 'The Fixed and Growth Mindsets'.
But there's a problem understanding mindset exclusively through the lens of psychology, because before mindset's a psychological process, it's a state of mind or state of consciousness. And this is a field of study and expertise of the contemplative traditions.
The most useful definition of mindset would therefore need to integrate the often conflicting insights of the contemplative traditions, with their understanding of traditional enlightenment. And developmental psychology with it's understanding of human psychological process, development and evolution.
I would therefore define mindset as a state of mind, experienced as a powerful but subtle, and yet mostly unacknowledged feeling [as distinct from an emotion], held as core assumptions forming the three principal motivations for participation [Nine mindset insights]
Mindset answers the question, not why should I do that particular activity, but rather why should I do anything, at all.
Mindset is the qualitative motivation for all action, forming the quantitative basis of all outcomes.
No comments:
Post a Comment