Abstract
Given that considering general mental ability (GMA) improves the quality of selection decisions, the present studies examined whether mindsets influence willingness to incorporate such data when predicting job candidates’ future job performance. We hypothesized and found that prevailing (Study 1) and induced (Study 2) growth mindsets are associated with giving less weight to GMA than training when predicting prospective employees’ future performance. Against the backdrop of hundreds of studies lauding the merits of growth mindsets, the present results suggest the imperative for the mindsets literature to adopt a more contingent conception of when holding a growth mindset may be (dys)functional.