A study conducted in the Netherlands aimed to find out which phrases and mantras are most effective to repeat before an exam.
The researchers asked three groups of school-aged children to solve math problems in two parts. During a break after completing the first part, groups 1 and 2 were instructed to recite mantras 1 or 2 respectively:
Mantra 1: “I will give my best to this.”
Mantra 2 “I’m really good at this.”
Group 3 did not have to recite mantras.
Which group do you think completed the second part of the test with best results?
The repeaters of the first mantra!
I will give my best to this.
This effect was strongest for those who had less confidence. This also proves the effectiveness of the GROWTH mindset, about which you can read more in the ME MAP books!
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Source: Effort self-talk benefits the mathematics performance of children with negative competence beliefs, Child Development, December 2019
