In a 1998 study, fifth graders praised for being smart chose easier tasks and lied about their scores after failing, while children praised for effort chose harder tasks and told the truth, a gap researchers link to how self-worth gets built
Source: Artfulparent.com· The Artful Parent Editorial Team· July 31, 2026
SynaBot summary
A 1998 study found that praising children for intelligence led to avoidance of challenges and dishonesty when they failed. Conversely, praising effort fostered resilience, encouraging them to tackle harder tasks and remain truthful.
Key takeaways
- Praise for intelligence can create fragility and avoidance.
- Effort-based praise builds resilience and a growth mindset.
- This applies to how we approach AI challenges and learning.
- Focus on process, not just perceived AI capability.
Why it matters
Understanding how praise impacts motivation is crucial for AI users. Focusing on effort over innate ability in AI tool usage can lead to more persistent problem-solving and accurate self-assessment of AI performance.
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