Teachers’ Perceptions of Student Ability Affect Performance – October 1, 2019

(Photo: Mary Murphy – https://psych.indiana.edu)

The start of the school year can bring excitement or anxiety. On the North Bay Report, we talk with a psychologist about how teachers’ perceptions about student ability can affect what happens in the classroom.

As students in Sonoma County settle into the school year, the fear of failure can hinder the ability to learn for many of them. Mary Murphy is a professor of psychology at Indiana University. She visited Sonoma County while researching how teachers with a “Growth Mindset” — a positive perception of students’ abilities — can help students improve their academic performance. KRCB’s Steve Mencher spoke with Murphy during her visit about her research.

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