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This research examines the relevance of growth mindsets in non-WEIRD cultures and their association with academic performance.

February 26, 2026Open Access

Growth mindsets are less endorsed and less associated with academic performance in non-WEIRD cultures

Key Points

This research examines the relevance of growth mindsets in non-WEIRD cultures and their association with academic performance.
Utilized nationally representative data from PISA 2018 across 48 countries with N = 409,287.
Assessed growth mindset prevalence and its correlation with academic performance.
Employed multilevel models to analyze the data.
Students in non-WEIRD countries reported lower growth mindsets (correlation r = -0.47).
Mindset-achievement associations were weaker for reading and science compared to WEIRD cultures.
Mindset-achievement associations were marginal for math in non-WEIRD cultures.

Abstract

We test whether growth mindsets are less relevant in non-WEIRD cultures using nationally representative data from PISA 2018 (48 countries, N = 409,287). Students from non-WEIRD countries reported lower growth mindsets (r = -0.47). Multilevel models revealed that the mindset-achievement associations were weaker in non-WEIRD cultures for reading and science, and marginal for math. Our findings suggest that culture-specific factors should be considered when applying the growth mindset framework.

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Cite This Study

Wang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/699fe28895ddcd3a253e63e8 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-026-00406-w

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