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Peer relationship refers to the connections and interactions that occur between individuals who are similar in age, status, or social standing, such as classmates, friends, or colleagues. As an international student, developing peer relationships can be highly beneficial for adapting to a new environment, overcoming cultural barriers and making the most of your educational experience.
In my understanding from Yeager and Dweck (2012) research, this perspective focuses on the importance of fostering resilience and a growth mindset, rather than solely emphasizing academic performance. The researchers discovered that when students believe their intelligence is fixed (entity theory), they may struggle with self-blame and shame, leading to difficulties with peers. On the other hand, those who learn that intelligence can grow with effort (incremental theory) are more likely to be supportive of their friends. Students who see their abilities as fixed might become discouraged and have a harder time getting along with others. But when they learn that they can improve through hard work, they are more likely to be helpful and kind to their classmates.
Peer relationships play a vital role because healthy interactions with classmates create a supportive environment where students can thrive. Positive relationships help students feel valued, motivated, and more open to learning.
Teachers can lead students towards an incremental theory of intelligence by:
- Sharing real-life examples of people who achieved success through hard work and determination.
- Encouraging them to see mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
- Teaching them strategies to overcome challenges and persevere in the face of setbacks.
- Providing opportunities for collaborative learning, where students support and learn from each other.
- Praising efforts, persistence, and progress rather than just results or innate ability.
By doing this, teachers can help students develop resilience and a growth mindset, leading to stronger academic achievement and healthier relationships with their peers.
References
Yeager, D.S., & Dweck, C.S (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: When students believe that personal characteristics can be developed. Educational Psychologist, 47(4), 302-314
Dweck, C.S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
O’Rourke, S., & Cooper, M. (2010). “It’s about relationships”: Teachers and students’ perspectives on student retention in an urban secondary school. The Urban Review, 42(4), 330-346.
I completely agree with your thoughts on the importance of a growth mindset, which led me to reflect on my own experience. I once had a student who struggled with collaboration and peer interactions, becoming angry when others outperformed him. To help him develop a growth mindset, I created discussion scenarios to build a safe feedback environment emphasizing respect and understanding. I shared success stories of effort, taught him emotion management strategies, and set up a “calm corner.” By setting small goals, celebrating progress, and fostering empathy through role-playing, he gradually learned to manage his emotions and build healthier peer relationships, ultimately developing a growth mindset.
Thank you for sharing Folake, I agree with you about the importance of mindset and how encouraging students to understand that intelligence is part of personal growth. When I was in primary school, I struggled with math and had low grades. However, I had a teacher who noticed my difficulties and persistently worked with me to help me enjoy and understand math. Her support and encouragement made a huge difference in my learning and confidence. This experience made me realized how essential it is for teachers to support their students.
Excellent points on how a growth mindset can lead to healthy relationships with peers. Instead of focusing on grades and competition with peers, a growth mindset promotes cooperation and connection to others. We can encourage each other to do our personal best rather than be in competition for better grades. It can increase our social and emotional understanding. Excellent discussion.