So that’s why I’m a loser!

Huh.

For a few decades, it’s been noted that a large percentage of all gifted students (those who score in the top 10 percent on aptitude tests) severely underestimate their own abilities. Those afflicted with this lack of perceived competence adopt lower standards for success and expect less of themselves.Giving kids the label of “smart” does not prevent them from underperforming. It might actually be causing it.

So after some kind of experiment with puzzles,

…[the researcher] found this effect of praise on performance held true for students of every socioeconomic class. It hit both boys and girls—the very brightest girls especially (they collapsed the most following failure).

Do I need to point out that I was among the very brightest girls? But there’s more!

…it turns out that the ability to repeatedly respond to failure by exerting more effort—instead of simply giving up—is a trait well studied in psychology. People with this trait, persistence, rebound well and can sustain their motivation through long periods of delayed gratification.

Long periods of delayed gratification? Yeah, I can relate.

But that New York article? Five pages, with the above quotes culled from a blur of dreary yuppie-mom guilt. You’re better off with the Meta-Mirror Digest version.

How Not to Talk to Your Kids

The related discussion on WNYC here.

by Left Hook | 16 February 2007 | narcissism, losers | Comments