“Considerable social science research has found that constant praise of children can backfire, because it so often consists of telling children how smart they are, not of praising children for the things they actually do. As a result, many children become protective of their image of being smart and are reluctant to take chances that might actually damage that image.”

American political scientist

Charles Alan Murray is an American political scientist and W.H. Brady Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. He is known for his work in conservative policy circles. Murray has written on public policy and related social questions, and his career is tied closely to the American Enterprise Institute, where he serves as a scholar. His name is associated with conservative commentary and analysis, especially in the American political debate.