Why learning goals are better than performance goals

Psychology professor Carol Dweck says "'learning goals' inspire a different chain of thoughts and behaviors than 'performance goals.'"

In Marina Krakovsky's article The Effort Effect, Dweck says "Students for whom performance is paramount want to look smart even if it means not learning a thing in the process. For them, each task is a challenge to their self-image, and each setback becomes a personal threat. So they pursue only activities at which they’re sure to shine--and avoid the sorts of experiences necessary to grow and flourish in any endeavor. Students with learning goals, on the other hand, take necessary risks and don’t worry about failure because each mistake becomes a chance to learn."

This PDF diagram summarizes the distinction between learning goals and performance goals.