Developing a Learning Model Based on Positive Psychology to Foster a Growth Mindset in College Students

Background and Aim: This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a learning model based on a positive psychology approach for enhancing a growth mindset among college students. The samples were first-year Accounting students at Jiangxi Environmental Engineering Vocational College. Materials and Methods: In this study, the research instruments were the Growth Mindset Questionnaire with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.947 and a learning model based on a positive psychology approach for enhancing growth mindset. The learning model based on the positive psychology approach consisted of 14 lessons, with each lesson's activities based on three steps: 1) Lead-In, 2) Learning Activities, and 3) Conclusion. Each lesson lasted for 90 minutes, and the activity was conducted for a total of 6 weeks. Statistical methods such as mean, standard deviation (SD), one-way and two-way repeated ANOVA analysis were used to analyze the data. Based on voluntary student participation, 40 students became the sample of this study. These samples were randomized to the experimental group and the control group equally. The experimental group (n=20) received a learning model based on a positive psychology approach for enhancing a growth mindset, but the control group did not. Results: The research results showed that the learning model based on positive psychology approach was effective in enhancing college students' growth mindset, and the experimental group continued to show improvement at one-month follow-up as follows: 1) college students’ growth mindset after receiving the learning model and after the follow up period was significantly higher than before beginning the experiment at a level of .05 and 2) college students’ growth mindset after receiving the learning model and after the follow up period was significantly higher than those in the control group at a level of .05. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the learning model based on the positive psychology approach is effective in enhancing the growth mindset of college students.