Arguments in Favor of Malleability

While genetic research stands out in favour of rigidity, there is contrary evidence.

• One is that most psychology studies are done using Western undergraduates. This means that while we think we measure universal human functioning, we may be measuring culturally-specific ones.
• If our abilities were fixed, then the amount of work required to get good is greatly reduced.
• Positive feedback increases motivation and confidence. This means that if you started with a fixed advantage towards math, for example, it might increase as you gain more confidence and make you much, much better at math than you would have been without motivation and confidence.