The Pygmalion effect, also known as the self-fulfilling prophecy, is a psychological phenomenon in which expectations about a person can influence their behavior and performance. It is named after the Greek mythological figure Pygmalion, a sculptor who fell in love with a statue of a woman he had created, which then came to life through his desire.
In a psychological context, the Pygmalion effect is particularly relevant in education and the workplace. If a teacher or supervisor has high expectations for a student or employee, that person will often try to meet those expectations, which leads to better performance. On the other hand, low expectations can lead to lower achievement.
Research on the Pygmalion effect was conducted by Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson in the 1960s. Their experiment in a school setting showed that students whose teachers assigned them higher intellectual potential (based on random cues) performed better because the teachers unconsciously treated them better and were more supportive.
Examples related to the Pygmalion effect
The Pygmalion effect shows how our expectations of other people can affect their actual behavior and performance. It can be observed in various situations in life. Here are some examples:
- School: A teacher who believes that a given student is very capable may pay more attention to him, give him more difficult tasks, support him more and motivate him more. As a result, the student performs better because he feels appreciated and believes in his abilities.
- Workplace: A boss who has high expectations of his employee may delegate more responsible tasks to him, praise him for his progress and offer additional training. An employee who feels that his superior believes in him often tries harder, which leads to higher efficiency and better results.
- Family: Parents who are convinced that their child has a talent in a given field (e.g. music, sports, science) may encourage him to develop this talent by investing in extracurricular activities, equipment or books. The child, feeling the support and belief of the parents, often tries to meet their expectations, which leads to success in a given field.
- Relationships: In relationships or friendships, a person who believes the other person is loyal and trustworthy will often treat them with more respect and openness. This in turn causes the other person to actually behave in a loyal and trustworthy manner, confirming the original expectations.
- Sports: A coach who believes in the potential of his player may give him more opportunities to play, provide more constructive feedback, and motivate him to work harder. The player, seeing the coach’s trust, may improve his performance by believing in his own abilities.
The key point in each of these examples is that one person’s expectations influence the other person’s behavior, which leads to the fulfillment of those expectations, whether they were positive or negative.