In the study by Mueller and Dweck (1998), which group showed the most improvement on a challenging task?

In the study conducted by Mueller and Dweck, the group that was praised for their effort demonstrated the most improvement on a challenging task. This finding highlights the importance of feedback that emphasizes the process of learning rather than inherent abilities. When participants were praised for their effort, they developed a growth mindset, which encourages persistence, resilience in the face of difficulties, and a willingness to embrace challenges as opportunities for development.

The focus on effort helped them to understand that their abilities could grow with hard work and practice. This mindset contrasts with the effects of praise based solely on intelligence, which can lead to a fixed mindset; individuals may become overly concerned with proving their intelligence and may shy away from challenges for fear of failure. The control group and those who received no rewards likely did not receive feedback that would encourage them to engage more deeply with the task or develop strategies for improvement. Hence, the emphasis on effort in feedback proved most beneficial in fostering an environment conducive to learning and improvement.