Has anyone ever believed in you more than you believed in yourself… and thanks to that, you achieved something that once seemed impossible? That is the power of the Pygmalion Effect, a fascinating psychological phenomenon that shows how what others expect from us can change our behavior, our self-esteem, and even our future.
What is the Pygmalion Effect?
The Pygmalion Effect, also called a self-fulfilling prophecy, occurs when the expectations others have about you directly influence your performance. In other words: if someone expects you to do well, it is more likely that you will actually do better. But the same happens in the opposite direction: if they believe you will fail, your chances of making mistakes increase.
It’s as if we were living inside a social mirror: we reflect the beliefs of those around us.
The famous Rosenthal and Jacobson experiment
In 1968, psychologists Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson conducted an experiment in an elementary school. They told teachers that certain students had “extraordinary” intellectual potential and would surely improve a lot during the year.
The curious thing is that these students were chosen at random. There was nothing special about them. But at the end of the school year, the “chosen ones” had improved more than their classmates. The reason? Teachers, convinced of their supposed potential, treated them with more patience, more support, and more trust. That attitude ended up truly awakening better performance.
Everyday examples of the Pygmalion Effect
You’ve surely experienced it without realizing it:
- A teacher who kept telling you “I know you can do it,” and suddenly you passed a subject that seemed impossible.
- A boss who trusted you with an important project, and that trust pushed you to give your best.
- Even in personal relationships: when someone believes in your talent, you dare to show it with more confidence.
On the contrary, if you constantly hear phrases like “you’re not good at this” or “better not try,” that seed of doubt eventually grows inside you.
How to use the Pygmalion Effect to your advantage
The good news is that we don’t only depend on what others think. We can also apply this phenomenon through our own expectations. Believing in yourself can change the way you act.
Some practical tips:
- Surround yourself with people who support you and believe in you.
- Avoid repeating negative phrases about your abilities in your mind.
- Set achievable goals that strengthen your confidence step by step.
- And remember: if you expect more from yourself, your mind starts working to make it possible.
Final reflection
The Pygmalion Effect reminds us that we are not islands. We live in constant interaction with the beliefs and expectations of others. A word of encouragement can change the course of a life, and a look of distrust can extinguish a talent.
The next time someone believes in you, take it as a gift. And when you believe in others, give them that same transformative power. Because, in the end, what we believe… can become reality.
👉 If you want to dive deeper into this topic, I invite you to watch the full video on our PsyLife YouTube channel, where we explore with visual examples how the Pygmalion Effect works and how to apply it in your daily life.
