Motivation and emotion/Book/2025/Mindsets and personality

Mindsets and personality:
What is the relationship between mindsets and personality?

Overview

Figure 1. Fixed mindsets stay locked in their established ways while Growth mindsets branch out and explore alternatives Scenario In a university psychology lab, two interns, Noel and Liam, are tasked with designing a mini-experiment using unfamiliar software. Noel, who has a growth mindset and high openness to experience, embraces the challenge, viewing mistakes as learning opportunities and actively seeking feedback. Liam, with a fixed mindset and high conscientiousness but low openness, feels overwhelmed and avoids experimentation, believing he's simply not good with technology.

This scenario illustrates how personality traits, specifically openness and conscientiousness, interact with growth versus fixed mindsets to produce distinct behavioural outcomes. While both interns are completing the task, Noel’s creative and adaptive approach demonstrates that a growth mindset amplifies traits like openness and resilience, whereas Liam's fixed mindset reinforces avoidance and rigidity.

Evidence-based frameworks such as Carol Dweck’s work on growth versus fixed mindsets shows that beliefs about ability significantly influence motivation, learning, and persistence (Dweck, 2006) can help support the development of interventions such as mindset training and feedback systems that will foster adaptive beliefs and behaviours.

Personality psychology, particularly the Big Five model, identifies openness to experience and conscientiousness as key predictors of how individuals engage with challenges and learning environments (McCrae & Costa, 1999; Simply Psychology, n.d.). By integrating mindset theory with personality frameworks, psychological science can inform tailored strategies in educational and workplace settings to help individuals like Liam overcome self-limiting beliefs and realise their potential (APA, 2021; Springer, 2019).

Focus questions How do different types of mindsets influence the way individuals express their personality traits? Can interventions that target mindset lead to long-term changes in personality traits? How might early life experiences influence both mindset formation and personality development?

The influence of mindsets on personality expression

Personality as defined by the APA (2018), refers to the unique behaviour and characteristics that make up an individual. These traits are shaped by beliefs which are attitudes that validate a particular idea or proposition (Barrett, 2020). Personality expression refers to the observable aspects of one's personality through their behaviour, emotion, and cognition (Uher, 2017).

This section explores how mindset beliefs influence personality expression by providing the theoretical foundation explaining how implicit beliefs shape self-perception and trait activation.

Theoretical foundation

• Individuals hold implicit beliefs about the nature of their abilities and traits (Dweck, 2008).
• These beliefs form part of their intuitive theories of self, shaping how they perceive personal growth and change (Molouki et al., 2020).
• Such narratives guide behavior, either reinforcing existing traits or encouraging transformation. In this way, beliefs act as a lens through which personality is interpreted and expressed (Molouki et al., 2020).

According to Molouki et al. (2020), how do personal beliefs influence personality expression?

	They suppress emotional responses
	They guide self-narratives that shape behavior
	They eliminate cognitive biases
	They prevent personality change over time

Figure 2. Differences in Growth & Fixed Mindsets Example: As illustrated in Figure 2, individuals with a fixed mindset tend to view traits like intelligence or personality as static and unchangeable. In contrast, those with a growth mindset see these traits as malleable, shaped by effort, learning, and experience (Dweck, 2008).

Key takeaways

• Personality is not a fixed set of traits, but a dynamic system influenced by self-beliefs.  
• As beliefs evolve over time, so too does the way personality is expressed.

Think about it Think about a belief you’ve outgrown. How did that shift affect your personality or how others perceive you?

How can mindset interventions lead to long-term personality change?

Mindsets are cognitive frameworks that shape how individuals interpret their abilities and experiences (Cherry, 2024). These frameworks are psychologically significant because they influence resilience, goal-setting, and long-term behavioral patterns, ultimately shaping life outcomes (Sousa & Clark, 2025).

This section examines how mindsets interact with personality traits. The theoretical link between mindsets and personality is first explored followed by evidence from intervention studies that demonstrate how targeted mindset shifts can lead to measurable changes in personality over time.

Theoretical link between mindset and personality

• Mindsets, especially beliefs about the malleability of traits, play a central role in shaping motivation, emotional regulation, and behavioral responses, all of which are foundational to personality functioning (Yeager & Dweck, 2012).
• For example, De Vries et al. (2021) found that individuals with a growth mindset showed greater increases in extraversion and emotional stability during major life transitions.
• Bobinet et al. (2025) introduced the concept of an iterative mindset—a belief system centered on adaptation, practice, and reflection—which was positively associated with self-efficacy and personal growth.
• Similarly, Caniëls et al. (2018) demonstrated that growth mindsets interact with proactive personality traits and leadership styles to enhance work engagement.

Table 1. Summary of the three different mindsets, their core beliefs, associated traits of each mindset, their impact on personality developmet.

Mindset Type	Core Belief	Associated Traits	Impact on Personality
Fixed	Rigidty, avoidance	Rigidity, avoidance	Reinforces trait stability and defensiveness
Growth	Openness, resilience	Openness, resilience	Encourages trait development and adaptive coping
Iterative	Self-efficacy, conscientiousness	Self-efficacy, conscientiousness	Supports long-term personal growth and flexibility

Evidence from intervention studies

• Yeager and Dweck (2012) showed that mindset interventions in educational settings not only improved academic outcomes, but also fostered resilience and adaptive coping.
• Hudson and Fraley (2015) explored volitional personality change and found that individuals who intentionally sought to change traits like extraversion or emotional stability were more successful when supported by belief-oriented strategies.
• Matthews et al. (2025) conducted a systematic review of 25 intervention studies across diverse populations—including individuals with mental health conditions, disabilities, and trauma, finding that belief-based interventions, particularly those delivered by rehabilitation counselors, were effective in improving psychosocial outcomes and behavioral adjustment.

Which of the following best describes the iterative mindset introduced by Bobinet et al. (2025)?

	A belief in fixed traits and minimal change
	A mindset focused on competition and achievement
	A belief system centered on adaptation, practice, and reflection
	A framework for diagnosing personality disorders

Key takeaways

• Environmental challenges can shape an individual's mindset, which in turn amplifies or buffers specific personality traits.
• Belief systems play a role in shaping long-term personality development.
• Mindsets influence how personality traits are activated and expressed in different contexts.
• Belief-based interventions may lead to trait-level changes over time.
• Mindsets support self-directed personality growth and adaptation.

Think about it How have your beliefs or mindset shaped the way you respond to challenges—and might they be shaping your personality more than you realize?

Early experience influencing mindset and personality development

Early experiences play a pivotal role in shaping personality and mindset. According to Bickhard and Christopher (1993), personality development is deeply influenced by formative interactions and environments. Narvaez et al. (2013) further emphasized that the presence and quality of caregiving significantly impacts brain development and emotional regulation.

Figure 3. Mother–child bonding fosters secure attachment and emotional development. Scenario Guigsy grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Manchester, surrounded by strong familial bonds and a culture that valued resilience and self-expression. His mother, a firm yet nurturing figure, consistently reinforced the belief that effort and persistence mattered more than innate talent. These early messages laid the groundwork for growth-oriented beliefs, encouraging Guigsy to see personal qualities as cultivable through dedication and experience. Attachment relationships also played a formative role. Guigsy’s close connection with his older sister—who encouraged creative exploration and emotional openness—contributed to a secure attachment style. This relational stability supported emotional regulation and self-confidence, traits linked to conscientiousness and emotional stability. Culturally, Guigsy’s environment emphasized independence, grit, and expressive identity. These influences shaped his personality traits, particularly openness to experience and extraversion. When faced with early setbacks—such as a failed musical performance—Guigsy’s mindset enabled him to interpret the event as a learning opportunity rather than a reflection of fixed inadequacy.

Together with Figure 3, this scenario illustrates how parenting style, attachment relationships, and cultural context co-shape both mindset and personality development. Guigsy’s trajectory reflects the dynamic interplay between belief systems and trait expression, highlighting the psychological significance of formative environments.

Core influences

• Attachment & Caregiving: Early relational experiences shape emotional regulation and beliefs about self-worth, forming the foundation for both personality traits and mindset development (Narvaez et al., 2013).
• Life Events & Perception: How individuals interpret early life events—such as starting school or facing setbacks—can moderate personality development, with mindset acting as a buffer or amplifier (De Vries et al., 2021).
• Cognitive & Emotional Scaffolding: Early exposure to autonomy, encouragement, and challenge fosters adaptive beliefs and traits like openness and conscientiousness (Bickhard & Christopher, 1993).

According to Narvaez et al. (2013), what role does caregiving play in early personality development?

	It determines intelligence levels through genetic transmission
	It influences emotional and brain development, shaping self-worth and regulation
	It has minimal impact compared to peer relationships
	It primarily affects physical development rather than psychological traits

Key takeaways

• Early life experiences shape behavior, emotional regulation, and the pursuit of personal growth.
• These experiences become internalized, influencing both conscious beliefs and automatic responses throughout life.

Think about it What early experience shaped how you respond to challenges—and how might that response reflect both conscious beliefs and automatic habits?

Conclusion

• Mindsets are frameworks that shape how individuals interpret their own abilities and experience which are all central to personality expression
• Psychological research has suggested that beliefs about the malleability of traits influence how personality traits are expressed depending on the context, but also how they change over time.

• Key takeaways:
  1. Personality is not static as it evolves in response to belief systems and life experiences.
  2. Mindsets influence how traits are expressed and developed.
  3. Interventions targeting beliefs can support personal growth and psychological resilience.
  4. Early environments play a critical role in shaping both mindset and personality trajectories.

• Answering the focus questions:
  1. Different mindsets influence personality expression through the unique ways people process their emotions, pursue their goals, and regulate their emotions.
  2. Belief-based intervention strategies can lead to meaningful, long-term challenges in personality traits. For example, enhancing resilience, emotional stability, and self-directed trait-development.
  3. Early life experiences have a role in personality development as these experiences become internalized which then guides how individuals experience the world around them as they grow older.

Final reflection Understanding how mindsets and personality traits interact can give us a roadmap for personal growth. By recognising the beliefs that shape our behaviour, we can move from rigidity to adaptability as well as away from self-limiting patterns to empowerment change.

See also

• Big Five personality traits (Wikipedia)
• Growth mindset (Book chapter, 2019)
• Personality and motivation (Book chapter, 2019)

References

American Psychological Association. (2018). Personality. https://dictionary.apa.org/personality

American Psychological Association. (2021). Growth mindset intervention study. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-48560-001

Barrett, C. (2020). Beliefs. In: Gellman, M.D. (eds) Encyclopedia of behavioral medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_1653

Bickhard, M. H., & Christopher, J. (1993). The influence of early experience on personality development. Lehigh University. https://www.lehigh.edu/~mhb0/EarlyExp.pdf

Bobinet, K., Burnette, J. L., Becker, W., & Rowell, M. (2025). Personal Growth and Wellbeing: An Iterative Mindset Assessment and Perspective. Behavioral Sciences, 15(7), 906. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070906

Caniëls, M. C. J., Semeijn, J. H., & Renders, I. H. M. (2018). Mind the mindset! The interaction of proactive personality, transformational leadership and growth mindset for engagement at work. Career Development International, 23(1), 48–66. https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-11-2016-0194

De Vries, J. H., Spengler, M., Frintrup, A., & Mussel, P. (2021). Personality development in emerging adulthood—How the perception of life events and mindset affect personality trait change. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.671421

Donaldson, S. I., Lee, J. Y., & Donaldson, S. I. (2019). Evaluating positive psychology interventions in the workplace: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 4(3), 113–135. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41042-019-00021-8

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.

Dweck, C. S. (2008). Can personality be changed? The role of beliefs in personality and change. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-beliefs-about-the-self-shape-personality-and-behavior

Matthews, L. R., McLennan, V., Jessup, G. M., Pebdani, R. N., & Bloom, J. (2025). Effectiveness of interventions provided by rehabilitation counselors: A systematic review of intervention studies published between 2000 and 2022. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552251320949

McCrae, R. R., & Costa, P. T. (1999). A five-factor theory of personality. In L. A. Pervin & O. P. John (Eds.), Handbook of personality: Theory and research (2nd ed., pp. 139–153). Guilford Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284978581_A_five-factor_theory_of_personality/citation/download

Molouki, S., Chen, S. Y., Urminsky, O., & Bartels, D. M. (2020). How personal theories of the self shape beliefs about personal continuity and transformative experience. In E. Lambert & J. Schwenkler (Eds.), Becoming someone new: Essays on transformative experience, choice, and change (Chapter 4). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198823735.003.0004

Narvaez, D., Panksepp, J., Schore, A. N., & Gleason, T. R. (Eds.). (2013). Evolution, early experience and human development: From research to practice and policy. Oxford University Press. https://academic.oup.com/book/27445

Sousa, B. J., & Clark, A. M. (2024). Growth mindsets in academics and academia: a review of influence and interventions. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 47(1), 38–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2024.2384003

Uher, J. (2017). Basic Definitions in Personality Psychology: Challenges for Conceptual Integrations. European Journal of Personality, 31, 572-573 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/per.2128

Yeager, D. S., & Dweck, C. S. (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that personal characteristics can be developed. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 302–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2012.722805

External links

• Big Five personality traits (Simply Psychology)
• Child Psychiatry Today: Attachment disorders and personality development (Child Psychiatry Today)
• Positive [sychology: Growth mindset activities & research (Positive Psychology)
• Structural learning: Growth mindset interventions in education (Structural Learning)
• What mindset is and why it matters (Verywell Mind)