Growth Mindset: Eight Ways of Looking at Intelligence

This week I read an interesting article called Eight Ways of Looking at Intelligence (Link). This article focused not only on looking at intelligence not only as something that is fluid, not fixed (i.e. growth mindset) but looking at objects and situations that can affect our intelligence in specific ways. One thing that was confirmed by this article was that situations affect our intelligence. A high-stress or low-motivation situation is not going to nurture intelligence in the same way that a low-stress, nurturing environment will. One thing that I thought was really interesting was the article touched on how when we use tools, our brain can actually prune neurons to visualize the tool as an extension of our body. But tools can be good or bad, and can take our attention away from what we need to focus on. This article struck me as a practical application of the growth mindset.

(Link)

Assignments First Impressions

Since I have taken the India Epics class before some of these assignments are familiar, and I remember from that class really enjoying the comments on each other's blogs. They ended up being really constructive by the end of the semester and I was able to follow along and find favorite storybooks that I saw grow as the semester went along. I am also excited for the reading assignments as I mostly read dry science materials.
For the extra credit I am looking forward to the growth mindset and HEART extra credit options. I do not know much about these theories and would like to learn more.


Something that reminded me of the kinds of stories I think we will encounter in this class-
Lam-Ang, Philippine folklore hero, summoning animals as aide for an upcoming battle.
Source: Wikimedia

Growth Mindset

I have heard of the growth mindset before in some of the psychology classes that I have taken. I grew up with a fixed mindset. Fortunately, I have always done really well at school, and believed I had been “fixed” with an above-average intelligence. However, I experienced a lot of what that video talked about when I got to college. I never had to try in high school, I made excellent grades and received tons of awards without ever straining. When I got to college, that was not the case, and I had no idea how to study or handle the stress of classes that were challenging. I failed, and my grades dropped drastically. I almost ruined my chances of getting into medical school, and it’s because I had no idea how to deal with the challenges associated with failing in academics. I have adapted a growth mindset as my college career has gone on, and felt my intelligence has grown not only in the “hard” academics but in other areas of my life, such as emotionally, physically, musically, etc. It is exciting to me that there is not a ceiling to my intelligence, that even though I was blessed with a natural ability to excel at school I can still push myself to be even better and even more intelligent and aware.

This is me clinging to my dreams of being a doctor while failing physics freshman year.

Source: cheezburger

Introduction of a Rambling Medical Student

Hello! My name is Marielle Crowell and I am in my fifth year at OU now. I graduate in May (yay!) with a degree in Microbiology and Psychology and a minor in chemistry. I was recently accepted into OU Medical School (yay again!) so I will begin there next fall. I am SUPER excited to be done with my undergrad degree as it has been a long time coming. I actually took the India Epics course three whole years ago and have always planned on taking the mythology course and have finally found time in my schedule to fit it in. I linked my old storybook down below if anyone is interested! I really enjoyed that class and recommend it to anyone thinking about taking it. Let’s see... I will not tell you about any of my classes because they are all boring terrible science classes that make me want to cry. I used to have hobbies but really for the past three years my only hobby has been trying to get into medical school (joking but not really). I do like to cook, work out, and read when I have the time. Currently watching through all the harry potters again now that they are on HBOGo. I used to knit when I was younger and would really like to knit little hats for babies for the American Red Cross or something but so far my schedule does not allow time for that. Have recently taken up yoga but I think my downward dog is far too terrible for me to consider that a “hobby” yet. I have two part-time jobs, I work in a little boutique in the mall mostly for a clothing discount and then I also scribe for doctors in an emergency room in Midwest City. Scribing means I chart for them when we go into rooms and interview patients. It is overnight so that is hard but it is super relevant to what I want to do so I feel really lucky to have that position. I’m super excited for this class and really anything that doesn’t have the word cell or chemistry in it!

Retro Storybook: The Goddess's Safe Haven 

A random cute picture of me and my twin sister when we were little and my mother made us wear horrendous matching outfits and apparently sit on even more horrendous couches. But it was the 90's what can you do. That's me on the right. 

Photo cred to my grandfather who I remember was majorly PO'd that I insisted on having my baby in the picture.

Storybook Favorites

1) The first storybook that I found that I liked was Monsters or Misunderstood? I thought the point of view was fresh and clever. This storybook is from the point of view of a therapist interviewing monsters such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, but lets them tell the story from their side. The writing flows very well and is funny and convincing. These are also characters I have not read very much about so it was fun to read their stories. The introduction was inviting and informative, and I liked how the author included not mentioning they are monsters and the different psychiatric problems they might have. The design of the storybook went well with the content. All in all I really liked this storybook!

2) The second storybook that caught my eye was Madame Gossip. The girlie french theme was very pretty and again I really enjoyed reading about characters that I have not heard of over and over again. The introduction did a good job of introducing the characters without giving away too much of the story, and I really like that the narrator remains anonymous. The language in this storybook is rich and works perfectly with the gossip narrative. The spattering of french words was also a super cute touch. The images fit in perfectly with the romantic theme, such as the one below.

Runaway Bride

Web Source: Deviant Art

3) The final storybook that caught my eye was A Collection of Roses. This idea was so interesting to me as the rose is such a prominent feature in so many fairytales. The layout was also perfect for the storybook and helped tie it in. The introduction was great and as I read I really felt like I was walking into a rose garden. It is a really interesting spin to hear a story with the focal point being the rose. I thought the author did an excellent job of bringing out the personalities of each of the roses as they told their stories as well. All in all I thought this was a super cute and fun storybook.

My Favorite Place- Beaver Lake, Arkansas

My family has vacationed at Beaver Lake for years. This area is very serene and makes you feel tucked away from society but it is still driving distance for my family. 

They have beautiful cabins there and some of the best memories I have of my childhood were fishing and boating on the lake with my family. 

(Beaver Lake, Arkansas- photo by Doug Wertman)