What is the Pygmalion Effect?

Hi there!

Welcome back to the MoodiNews. Every Thursday, we discuss a variety of matters related to mental health and self-improvement. 

I’m so glad you’re here.

This week, we will be discussing THE PYGMALION EFFECT! YAY!

(This blog will be broken into two parts. Today, I will introduce and define the Pygmalion Effect, and next week we will talk about why it matters.)

To start, you might be asking, What is the Pygmalion Effect?

The Pygmalion Effect, according to the Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development, “refers to situations where teacher expectancies of student performance become self-fulfilling prophecies; students perform better or worse…based on the way their teacher expects them to perform” (Springer, 2011).

The Pygmalion Effect essentially points to the power of treating someone like the type of person that you want them to become.

It’s a very undervalued phenomenon that I like to teach to my clients in order to help them improve their personal relationships.

My first experience with the Pygmalion Effect happened while I was in therapy myself as a client.

My therapist, Carin, gave me a compliment that seemingly came out of nowhere, and it really surprised me—she said it to me in a very innocuous and unassuming way, like she was talking about the weather:

She told me that I was a good communicator.

I remember her remark, because I had never before considered myself to be a good communicator.

However, after Carin said that to me, I started to wonder… what if she is right?

I ultimately decided that I wanted her to be right, because, soon thereafter, I also started to identify as somebody who communicates well.

Of course, back then, I didn’t know what the Pygmalion Effect was—but, in the end, I became what Carin told me that I was… all because of the power of the Pygmalion Effect.

I don’t actually know if Carin purposefully applied the Pygmalion Effect when talking with me that day. (Although I have a hunch that she did!)

Either way, her words had a profound impact on me—both my behavior and my sense of self-worth changed for the better as a result of how she spoke to me.

In therapy, I like to encourage my clients to utilize the power of the Pygmalion Effect in their own lives.

The Pygmalion Effect is useful for showing people the potential inside of themselves, and it’s impact can also deepen relationships and generate more effective interactions with other people when applied authentically.

Next week, we will explore in further detail some ways to improve communication and build intimacy using the Pygmalion Effect.

See you then!