To me this suggests that, after students are praised for their intelligence, it's too humiliating for them to admit mistakes.
It is sad to see that children who's intelligence was praised let failure strike such a harsh and resonant chord on the strings of their hearts. This shows how if we believe just ever so slightly one way then have our beliefs challenged it could be detrimental to the ground upon which our minds and egos stand. this is not good for it could really disrupt how people believe in themselves if at all after tough times.