Biology is not destiny

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Emphasize that biology is not destiny.

"Biology is not destiny" refers to the idea that minority and female students are often stuck in this mindset that intelligence is inherent and it cannot be expanded. The idea that certain individuals are biologically less capable of contributing to an academic field stems from the dominant group within that field, in other words race and gender in academia, as well as in society, are entities that are constructed. Societal beliefs concerning intelligence and a learning environment are key issues that make underrepresented students feel competent in various academic fields. In the case of Economics, a Caucasian male dominated field, a perception of the field has been created, which has discouraged underrepresented students from the field.


In one finding, when teachers and instructors told female students that their intelligence could grow and expand with learning and experience, the students performed better on math tests and were more optimistic about their futures in the mathematics field. By emphasizing that intelligence is nurture, not nature (especially in male-dominant fields), professors created an inclusive classroom environment where female students felt more confident about their skills and abilities.


At Stanford University, Carol Dweck, a social and developmental psychologist, has been conducting research on the idea of motivation for the past 40 years. She argues that there are two kinds of mindset when it comes to academic motivation. "A 'growth mindset' (viewing intelligence as a changeable, malleable attribute that can be developed through effort) as opposed to a 'fixed mindset' (viewing intelligence as an inborn, uncontrollable trait) is likely to lead to greater persistence in the face of adversity and ultimately success in any realm."


Dweck finds that fixed mindsets among students in junior high and college plays a role in creating a gender gap with boys performing well in math and science and growth mindsets among students create no sort of gender gap in academic performance. Dweck and her colleges followed several hundred women at a top-tier university in a one semester calculus course and found that growth mindsets also promotes persistence for students. Female students in classrooms where growth mindsets are promoted are more likely to continue taking classes in that field and were less susceptible to negative gender stereotypes about intelligence.


Faculty in tertiary education should stress to female students that academic skills and abilities can be acquired through hard work and biology does not determine intelligence.