The Pygmalion Effect

The Pygmalion Effect

The Pygmalion effect illustrates the occurrence in which elevated expectations result in improved performance. This concept can be most comprehended through the depiction of a cycle, where our perceptions of someone's capabilities shape our interactions with them. These interactions subsequently affect the individual's self-perception. Their self-perception then influences how they interact with us, thereby reinforcing our initial beliefs. This cycle continues iteratively.

Consider an example that involves your own convictions. Envision yourself as the coach of a basketball team, assessing your team on the initial day of practice. Among the newcomers, Chris and Joe catch your attention. Chris evokes thoughts of a renowned player, while Joe brings to mind a bothersome individual from your high school days. Unconsciously, you form presumptions about what each of them can achieve. These presumptions subsequently shape your behavior: as Chris steps onto the court, a sense of contentment washes over you. During his play, you motivate him to excel, practice rigorously, and invest additional time. Even when he makes errors, you guide him on improvement. Conversely, when Joe joins in, he hardly registers on your radar. Although you're pleased with his scoring, your feedback is limited, and you don't allocate extra time for his training. His mistakes elicit a mild sense of irritation from you. Your conduct has an impact on their self-perceptions: Chris interprets your attention and support as indicators of his value, fostering mutual appreciation. Consequently, he nurtures a belief in his own accomplishments. On the other hand, Joe internalizes your perceived impatience and lack of regard, leading to his skepticism about his potential for success.

Their self-perceptions then lead to their conduct in relation to you: Chris experiences an increasing sense of enjoyment in playing, resulting in unwavering attendance at every training session. During games, he consistently exerts maximum effort. Conversely, Joe's enjoyment of playing wanes, causing a decline in his level of commitment during games. He even begins to occasionally miss training sessions. These actions in turn bolster your initial beliefs: you witness how Chris derives pleasure from playing, diligently hones his skills, and makes rapid performance strides. In contrast, Joe's diminishing motivation is reflected in his limited skill advancement and reduced attendance. Your initial intuition is validated, and you feel a sense of confirmation. It's fortunate that your instincts were correct!

The Pygmalion effect, also referred to as the Rosenthal experiment, derives its name from the research conducted by Robert Rosenthal at Harvard University. In an initial investigation, Rosenthal prompted participants to guide rats through a maze. Half of the participants were informed that their rats were highly intelligent and had received specialized training, while the other half were informed that their rats were of lower intelligence. In actuality, all the rats were identical. Nevertheless, during the course of the experiment, the "intelligent" rats notably outperformed their counterparts labeled as "less intelligent." This demonstration highlighted how the coaches' expectations had a tangible influence on the rats' performance, underscoring the impact of these expectations on the outcomes.

Subsequently, Rosenthal, in collaboration with Lenore Jacobson, carried out the Pygmalion in school study: at the onset of the academic year, a cohort of elementary school teachers were informed that a selection of their new students possessed extraordinary talents and potential. This information, though entirely fabricated, was attributed to randomly chosen average students in each class. All students had previously undergone IQ testing. As the year progressed, the students identified as more talented exhibited a marked improvement in their IQ test performance in comparison to their peers. Drawing from these findings, Robert Rosenthal formulated the observation: "When we hold certain expectations about others' behavior, our actions are inclined to facilitate the anticipated behavior, thereby making it more likely to manifest."

What do you think about this theory? And if you believe it, is there a way to prevent ourselves from being shaped by others in a negative way?