Dr. Carol Dweck - Studies found a distinction between Entity and Incremental Theories of Intelligence.

Fixed Mindset - "I am smart at this." Attribute their success to ingrained ability, fixed entity. Believe that if you have ability, everything should come naturally. When challenged, they are more prone to quit; brittle in self-concept; become dispirited by inability to solve hard problems because setbacks call their intelligence into question.

Growth Mindset - "I got it because I worked at it." Attribute their success to hard work. Believe that difficult work can be grasped step by step, incrementally. The novice can become the master. When challenged, more likely to rise to the level of the game.
     

Examples of the type of praise that creates a "growth mindset culture:"

Praise the process in which the student engaged.
Praise effort, but not just any effort. Praise persistence despite setbacks.
Praise for choosing difficult tasks.
Praise for changing strategies when something is not working.

     For more on Carol Dweck's research, see Stanford University - Carol S. Dweck.