[richmarr]

> This is anecdotal, but I have also noticed the related inverse problem as well.

Carol Dweck argues in her book (and the research behind it) that you're describing different symptoms of the same problem, rather than an inverse.

The problem being; a mindset that believes a normal person's ability at a task (at least at a high school level) is governed by fixed traits rather than something that can be changed.

- People who consider themselves inherently unskilled at a task are more likely to not bother.

- People who consider themselves inherently skilled at a task are likely to fear failure because it damages their self worth.

- People who focus on growth/learning/effort are less afraid of failure, attempt harder problems and are more resilient to setbacks

These ideas may seem trite these days but the book was published in 2006 so maybe less so then.