The entity theory is something that can be applied to a lot of
activities in my life, but I wouldn’t consider it something that’s always a constant
way of thinking, per say. I think I apply this theory in physical activity the
most, where there are more biological limitations that inhibit me from doing
certain activities. Like my size, for example, wouldn’t permit me to lift
anything ridiculously heavy or the fact my height doesn’t allow me to jump very
high. I’m not much of a long-distance runner and I honestly think no matter how
hard I trained, that I could never become one. And even though I try not to be
this way in academia, I sometimes find that I compare myself to how other
people did, or except that I didn’t do well but not actually look as to why. I
think these are a kind of coping mechanism to make myself feel better in the
face of failure, but it does qualify as an entity way of thinking.
The incremental theory is something that I much more often apply to my mental abilities. I think knowledge is something that everyone has the capability of gaining and biological factors play a small role on how quickly we can learn. But nonetheless, we all have the ability to do so. There are some physical activities that I consider myself more of an incremental theorist in such as gymnastics, yoga, and flexibility. These are all activities that I have had the ability to excel in and therefore I know that I can continue to improve for however hard that I work at it. Another skill that I am more of an incremental thinker in is music, specifically playing the guitar. From the time I began, I knew that the more I practiced the better I got.
As I listed all of the occupations where either an incremental or
entity theory applies, I realized that I based many of my occupational choices
on the incremental theory, which I also attribute to both success and meaning. I
feel like when I experience some sort of failure or inability to do something
easily, I apply the entity theory to it. And when I have success or the ability
to do something comes naturally, I relate it to the incremental theory. These
successes and ease in ability become the occupations that are most meaningful
to me and ultimately a part of my becoming. Wilcock (1998), as cited in
Hasselkus (2011), stated that becoming is a term that “holds the notions of
potential and growth, of transformation and self-actualization.” The
occupations that I feel I have the potential to be successful and have the
ability to grow in, are the occupations that make me feel like I am “becoming,”
which I then inevitably apply the incremental theory to most.
As I mentioned previously, yoga is an occupation in which I
apply the incremental theory too, thus giving me a mindset that I have the
capability to both grow and improve as I continue to practice. I have had
success thus far and therefore the entity theory as a coping mechanism has yet
to be applied to my new occupation. However, as I continue to advance my skills,
I don’t think that the entity theory will ever be a way of thinking for me in
this occupation because I know that I am capable. If I ever reach a new pose
that I cannot do, I think my incremental mindset will prosper knowing that if I
continue to work at it I will be able to do it eventually.
Hey!
ReplyDeleteNice post :) I wrote about the same thing regarding entity theory and physical attributes. Even as someone that practiced gymnastics for 10 years, you still view it with the incremental theory? Did you ever find a plateau in your skills, that no matter how much harder you practiced you didn't see a lot more improvement? I saw that with running and kept with it for awhile longer because of the flow but eventually tapered off.
I agree that holding entity theory can be a defense mechanism for a lot of people. And, how will we coach them if we are treating them to see that they are capable of a lot more with hard work. How will we motivate? Not that I expect you to hold the answer, but something to think about for our future...
Liz!
ReplyDeleteThis is a super good question because I never thought of how I viewed gymnastics later on in my life, just how I viewed it as a child- but I did reach a point (after I broke both of my ankles) where I became very discouraged with my abilities, and sort of hit a plateau. When I returned I had fallen behind the teammates that I was once equal too or even better than and it was very disheartening. I eventually got to the point where my body couldn't take much anymore and I just kept re-injuring myself, where I became both frustrated and sort of had this loss of interest. This leads me to believe that towards the end of my career, I became an entity theorist in a way, but I never really thought of it like that until now!
I really like that you asked the last question though, because it's kind of an intimidating thought! The answer to that I really have no idea but I know that motivating people can be hard in general, let alone as an OT! It will definitely be a challenge, but an achievable one (I hope!)