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ONSEN® BLOG / Expert advices

What does psychology say about the Pygmalion effect?

10 listopada 2023
Pigmalion Effect, psychology, psychological concepts
Contents
Psychological analysis of the Pygmalion phenomenon
Psychological mechanisms in the Pygmalion effect
The impact of expectations on outcomes from a psychologist's perspective
The Pygmalion effect in the context of social psychology
The Pygmalion phenomenon in behavioral sciences
Belief, influence, and actualization of potential in relation to the Pygmalion effect
The role of beliefs in the operation of the Pygmalion effect
The Pygmalion effect and the Galatea effect
What does the Pygmalion effect have to do with quantum physics?
Our article on the Pygmalion effect is yet another piece created at the explicit request of our readers in collaboration with psychologist Mr. Mateusz Nesterok. We focus on one of the most fascinating psychological phenomena, the discovery of which has cast a light on how we perceive the beliefs, expectations, and convictions of other people. It turns out that these can have an impact on the behavior of others, including their achievements.

The Pygmalion effect is one of the key concepts in social psychology, perfectly illustrating how strongly beliefs shape reality in everyday life. Therefore, it's worth delving into the definition and mechanisms of this phenomenon. This way, we can understand the consequences of the Pygmalion effect for our social relationships, as well as work or school, where it also applies.
Social psychology, psychological theories, psychological trends

Psychological analysis of the Pygmalion phenomenon

As highlighted by ONSEN® expert specializing in psychology, Mr. Mateusz Nesterok, the Pygmalion effect is a well-known and classical psychological phenomenon that has intrigued researchers of human behavior for a long time. To gain a deep understanding of this phenomenon, it's worth delving into all its psychological aspects. This will help you comprehend what it entails and, therefore, what it relates to in everyday life.

The phenomenon of the Pygmalion effect, also known as a form of the self-fulfilling prophecy, directly pertains to the influence that human beliefs and convictions exert, directly or indirectly, on behavior or events. At times, it is associated with the first impression we make on someone, which influences subsequent thoughts about us. It may also be related to thinking heuristics, which are unconscious mental patterns.

In psychology, this is analyzed from the perspective of beliefs and predictions that shape the social interactions of people, stemming from human intuition largely resulting from learning from past life experiences. Hence, one of the key elements in the psychological analysis of the Pygmalion effect is the extensive study of mechanisms leading to self-fulfilling prophecies, also known as predictions. It is precisely our beliefs in the potential of others that can encourage them to behave in ways that align with our expectations, regardless of whether these expectations are realistic when viewed rationally.
Pigmalion Effect, unconsciousness, subconsciousness, manipulation

Psychological mechanisms in the Pygmalion effect

The psychological phenomenon known as the Pygmalion effect conceals many fascinating psychological mechanisms. It's worth deepening our knowledge of these mechanisms to understand why the Pygmalion effect has a significant impact on our daily functioning, especially in the social sphere it concerns.

Of course, at the core of the Pygmalion effect lies the mechanism of a self-fulfilling prophecy, a widely occurring phenomenon that, in a way, makes our beliefs and expectations influence the behavior of other individuals in a manner that aligns with them. This can naturally lead to positive outcomes, but it mainly depends on our expectations. Importantly, these expectations can be unconscious and thus subconsciously guide us.
The beliefs about other people have a significant impact on their behavior.
Another mechanism is the influence of perceived competence, which naturally relates, in some cases, to the power of authority studied by Stanley Milgram. If we believe that someone is competent and capable, we are inclined to provide support to that person and demonstrate greater trust than we would otherwise. Similarly, if someone is an authority figure to us in whose competence we believe, as a result, that person may perform better in tasks and, therefore, achieve higher results.

Self-esteem also plays a significant role because if someone has a more positive self-image, they are also inclined to take on more challenges and thus strive for success that they have set for themselves. Specific beliefs held by other individuals regarding someone's self-esteem can also influence that person's confidence and achievements.

Finally, attention should be paid to one's own beliefs, which is the knowledge or faith in one's abilities, as it is related to the expectations we place on other people. Moreover, if we ourselves believe that something is possible, the Pygmalion effect shows that it becomes significantly closer to being achievable.
Psychological mechanisms, schema therapy, psychology

The impact of expectations on outcomes from a psychologist's perspective

The concept of the Pygmalion effect, as indicated by Mr. Mateusz Nesterok, decidedly transcends theoretical considerations and is increasingly moving into everyday psychological practice, especially in research related to someone's expectations of the behavior of others, including parents' expectations of their children. This phenomenon demonstrates that someone's expectations often translate into reality, which is of great importance in the work of psychological practices.

One of the key aspects of the impact of expectations on outcomes is the perception of another person's potential. When a psychologist believes in the potential of their client and has high expectations regarding their ability to change and develop, that belief itself can stimulate the client to exert greater effort in making changes. The attitude displayed by the psychologist can, therefore, yield positive results, provided it is appropriate.

It should be acknowledged that the Pygmalion effect can also be applied in the context of therapy because a therapist with high expectations regarding the effectiveness of therapy for a specific client can influence their engagement in the healing process, leading to the achievement of expected results. However, it is not one-sided, as it also works in the opposite direction. In other words, the client's expectations of the therapist can affect the quality and effectiveness of therapy. Therefore, understanding these mechanisms appropriately and then skillfully managing them is important for both psychologists and clients.
Pigmalion Effect, social psychology, human behavior

The Pygmalion effect in the context of social psychology

The field of research known as social psychology primarily focuses on how interactions between individuals and group influence shape beliefs, behaviors, and human functioning. Within its interests lies the Pygmalion effect, playing a crucial role in revealing how the influence of other people can shape experiences.

In social psychology, the Pygmalion effect is often analyzed from the perspective of social influence on the individual. This phenomenon perfectly illustrates how social expectations and group pressure can influence the behavior of an individual. When a group expresses high expectations for a particular person, that person often strives to meet those expectations to gain approval and acceptance.

The Pygmalion effect in social psychology can sometimes also pertain to issues of stereotypes and prejudices. Beliefs based on stereotypes can influence the behavior and achievements of others. This, in turn, can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies, where one person or a group burdened with specific beliefs put them into practice.

Some researchers in the field of social psychology also analyze how the Pygmalion effect influences the dynamics of processes within social groups. The expectations of leaders or slightly more influential group members can shape the behavior of the rest of the members, affecting their decisions and outcomes achieved by the individual or group. This is particularly important for individuals managing teams working together.
Behavioral therapy, human behavior, group processes

The Pygmalion phenomenon in behavioral sciences

In the behavioral sciences, the Pygmalion phenomenon constitutes an area of study that allows for a profound exploration of the psychological mechanisms behind the impact of expectations and beliefs on the behavior of other people. This remains exceptionally significant for researchers conducting comprehensive investigations into the behavioral aspects of human functioning, including group dynamics.

In essence, the Pygmalion effect refers to the influence that our personal beliefs about other people can exert on their behavior. In the behavioral sciences, this influence is mainly studied and analyzed through observations and experiments. Researchers seek to understand how our expectations, perceptions, and convictions impact group actions in this manner.
The Pygmalion effect can be useful in pedagogy.
A key aspect in behavioral sciences is that this influence doesn't always have to be expressed explicitly but can be unconscious. Often, our expectations are very subtle, and as a result, we introduce them into social functioning in unconscious ways, which is normal. This makes understanding this phenomenon a challenge, but at the same time, it opens the door to an extraordinary world of conscious influence management on achievements and behaviors.

It's worth noting that the Pygmalion effect is also widely studied in the context of educational psychology, where a comprehensive analysis is conducted on how teachers' beliefs about students affect their academic performance. This psychological phenomenon demonstrates how crucial it is for teachers to have positive expectations for all students, regardless of less relevant factors like background or competencies that can be developed. Unfortunately, this is still lacking in the majority of educational systems worldwide.
Pigmalion Effect, the influence of beliefs, potential and career

Belief, influence, and actualization of potential in relation to the Pygmalion effect

The phenomenon referred to as the Pygmalion effect is closely related to the concept of the influence of beliefs on the realization of one's potential. This social phenomenon perfectly illustrates how beliefs and convictions impact the ability to harness one's potential to bring about positive changes in life.

Human beliefs certainly play a key role in the principles governing the described Pygmalion effect. Our beliefs about the potential in other individuals shape our expectations of them. If we believe someone has tremendous potential and is capable of greater achievements in a certain field, our expectations translate into more positive behavior towards that person. In this way, faith in another person's potential can serve as a motivational force.

Let us remember that how we assess and treat others often has significant consequences for their behavior. Positive beliefs can stimulate the development of skills and abilities, while negative beliefs can work in the opposite way, limiting potential. Therefore, our beliefs and expectations can serve as both a barrier and motivation to achieve a goal that someone has set. If we believe we are capable of accomplishing something great, we are automatically more willing to take on challenges that utilize our potential.
Self-fulfilling prophecy, prophecy, psychology

The role of beliefs in the operation of the Pygmalion effect

When analyzing the Pygmalion effect, one of the key elements to consider is the role of beliefs, convictions, and expectations that shape our expectations and influence the behavior of other people. Beliefs play a central role in the schemes of action described by the Pygmalion effect.

In the context related to the Pygmalion effect, human beliefs regarding the potential and competence of others are of tremendous importance, as this phenomenon cannot exist without them. If we believe that someone is capable, competent, and has the potential for achievement, our expectations toward that person become more positive. These positive expectations start to dominate our behavior toward that individual. Whether consciously or subconsciously, we tend to treat them with greater respect, and often, we provide support and encouragement for their development in specific areas.

The key issue is that our beliefs often become quite simply self-fulfilling prophecies determining behavior. This means that our convictions begin to influence the environment in such a way that expectations become reality. If we believe that someone is capable and has potential, that person can easily become more willing to take on challenges and engage in specific activities.
Pigmalion phenomenon, Galatea effect, power of beliefs

The Pygmalion effect and the Galatea effect

In the context of all psychological trends, both the Pygmalion effect and its opposite, the Galatea effect, constitute an incredibly fascinating contrast that helps us understand the influence of beliefs and expectations on people's behavior. Both of these effects vividly illustrate the power of beliefs and convictions in everyday life.

As a rule, the Pygmalion effect refers to a situation in which specific and nurtured positive expectations towards another person lead to them having better results and behavior, regardless of verbalization. In other words, if we believe that someone is capable and competent, that person is more likely to take on challenges and thus achieve positive results in everyday life.

Its opposite is the Galatea effect, which is somewhat based on harboring negative expectations towards someone, which, of course, also has its effects in the form of less effective results and poorly-rated behavior by another person. So if someone expects failure, bad behavior, or failure from another person, these negative predictions influence their behavior, leading to the fulfillment of these predictions, even without conscious will.

Understanding this difference between the Pygmalion effect and the Galatea effect helps us be more attentive and aware of the impact of beliefs on other people every day. It also shows that internal beliefs and expectations have a significant influence on how we shape our relationships and achievements, as well as other aspects of life.
Quantum physics, Pigmalion Effect, strong will

What does the Pygmalion effect have to do with quantum physics?

At first glance, psychology and quantum physics are two different fields of science that may not have much in common in everyday life. However, you can find interesting analogies and points of contact between them, especially when you look at them in the context of the influence of beliefs and expectations on experimental results.

The self-fulfilling prophecy, known as the Pygmalion effect, primarily applies to situations where certain expectations seem to fulfill themselves. It is a psychological phenomenon that perfectly illustrates how human beliefs and convictions can influence the results we can achieve in various areas of life, such as in science, sports, or art.

The second element, quantum physics, is a field of science that fundamentally deals with microscale processes, especially the study of invisible elementary particles to the human eye. It often focuses on the study of the nature of light. However, it's essential to remember that one of the key postulates of quantum physics is that an observer can influence the experiment's outcome, which is known as the observer effect.

Although quantum physics and psychology may seem distant from each other at first, you can notice certain analogies in these two fields of science. Both emphasize the role of the mind and expectations in cognitive processes and research procedures. Furthermore, the Pygmalion effect somewhat demonstrates that belief in success can influence achieving goals, similar to how in quantum physics, an observer can influence the experiment's outcome through their presence and intention.

We also encourage you to explore other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the ONSEN® team of specialists. For those who care about spine health, we recommend a set of spine exercises prepared by our physiotherapist.
Mattresses, Polish mattress manufacturer, mattress store

FAQ: Pygmalion effect

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy?

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a well-known phenomenon that has existed for centuries, in which the expectations or beliefs of one person, or sometimes a group of people, influence the behavior of others in such a way that these predictions subsequently become reality. In other words, when people believe or expect something to happen, they take actions that influence other people. These actions do not need to be conscious and typically occur at the subconscious level. These expectations then affect the actions and behavior of others, leading to their fulfillment. This can apply to both positive and negative outcomes.

What is the Pygmalion effect?

The Pygmalion effect is the most commonly encountered form of a self-fulfilling prophecy. It involves the positive expectations about another person coming true under the influence of those expectations. It is somewhat dictated by our unconscious actions. For example, if we believe that a student or employee is capable and competent, that person is more inclined to take on new challenges and achieve better results.

Why is it called the Pygmalion effect?

The name Pygmalion effect was given in honor of the character Pygmalion from Greek mythology. According to the myth, he fell in love with a sculpture he created with his own hands, which he named Galatea. This myth symbolizes how beliefs and expectations can influence reality. Esteemed psychologist Robert Merton named this phenomenon the Pygmalion effect in reference to the impact of beliefs and expectations on human behavior.

How does the Pygmalion effect differ from the Galatea effect?

The Pygmalion effect primarily relates to positive expectations and beliefs that influence the achievements and behavior of others in a favorable manner. Meanwhile, the Galatea effect is its counterpart, where negative expectations lead to poorer outcomes and behavior. In both cases, the key point is that expectations and beliefs influence reality, but in the case of the Pygmalion effect, these are positive expectations, whereas in the Galatea effect, they are negative.

How does a self-fulfilling prophecy work?

A self-fulfilling prophecy is another term used to describe the Pygmalion and Galatea effects. Its operation is based on bringing predictions and expectations into reality due to the influence of these beliefs on the behavior of other people. This phenomenon emphasizes that our beliefs and convictions have a powerful impact on the results we achieve in life. It is also related to the idea that under the influence of beliefs, we ourselves behave differently, essentially manipulating reality.

Contents
Psychological analysis of the Pygmalion phenomenon
Psychological mechanisms in the Pygmalion effect
The impact of expectations on outcomes from a psychologist's perspective
The Pygmalion effect in the context of social psychology
The Pygmalion phenomenon in behavioral sciences
Belief, influence, and actualization of potential in relation to the Pygmalion effect
The role of beliefs in the operation of the Pygmalion effect
The Pygmalion effect and the Galatea effect
What does the Pygmalion effect have to do with quantum physics?
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