Final answer:
Kristi displays a fixed mindset, which is characterized by the belief that one's abilities and intelligence are unchangeable. This mindset contrasts with a growth mindset, where individuals believe they can improve through effort and learning from mistakes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kristi entered seventh grade with the mentality that she is not good at math, and never will be, which illustrates that she has a fixed mindset. A fixed mindset is a belief that one's abilities, intelligence, and talents are set in stone and cannot be improved upon. In contrast, someone with a growth mindset believes that abilities can be developed through dedication, hard work, and learning from mistakes. Kristi prefers simple problems and feels discouraged when she gets problems wrong, rather than seeing them as opportunities to grow and learn. This mindset can be a barrier to her academic and personal development, but with encouragement and a shift in perspective, she can adopt a more conducive growth mindset.