Intelligence perception characteristics of primary school fourth grade students

The aim of this study is to examine the characteristics of the perception of intelligence of primary school fourth grade students. Descriptive method was used in this study. In order to reflect the current situation in more depth, both quantitative and qualitative data were used. The study group of the research consists of fourth grade students studying in Erzurum in the 2023-2024 academic year. In the study, the "Mindset Scale" developed by Dweck (2013) and adapted to Turkish culture by İlhan Beyaztaş and Hymer (2018) was used for quantitative data. The scale is a 6-point Likert-type scale and can be scored from "completely agree" to "completely disagree". For qualitative data, a semi-structured interview form was used. Quantitative data were applied to 431 students, and qualitative data were applied to 14 students determined according to their mindset perceptions and gender as a result of quantitative data analysis. The quantitative data obtained within the scope of the research were evaluated by t-tests using the SPSS program and the qualitative data were evaluated by content analysis using the MAXQDA program. As a result of the study, while there was a significant difference between the fixed mentality averages and the developing mentality averages of primary school fourth grade students, there was no significant difference when we examined the intelligence perception characteristics in terms of gender variable. In this direction, it is said that students' intelligence is affected by different situations rather than their gender. We can list these influencing factors as family and teacher influence, studying, self-knowledge, communication, goal setting, caring about their lessons, motivation, praise, self-evaluation.