Pygmalion effect sounded almost like magic when I first learned about it.
This concept suggests that our potential can be shaped by the expectations others have of us.
Or in other words, we can unlock someone’s hidden talents and capabilities by genuinely believing in their abilities and treating them accordingly.
In the world of sports, for example, coaches who have high expectations for their athletes and provide positive feedback can make a significant impact on their performance. When these coaches truly believe in their athletes and treat them as capable, it often sparks their motivation, fuels their effort, and leads to remarkable achievements.
In therapeutic settings, positive expectations from therapists can also contribute to clients' growth and recovery. These therapists can empower their clients to overcome challenges and improve their well-being by having faith in their capacity for change and providing them with unwavering support.
But I’m afraid the examples I’ve mentioned haven’t even scratched the surface of this incredible phenomenon…
It’s so complex that it’s impossible to be fully explored in just a few pages. And so, I’ll only focus on the aspects that particularly interest me.
“Pygmalion in the Classroom”
Pygmalion effect, also known as self-fulfilling prophecy, was first introduced and popularized by social psychologist Robert Rosenthal and educational psychologist Lenore Jacobson in their groundbreaking study conducted in 1968.
In their study “Pygmalion in the Classroom”, they explored the fascinating phenomenon of how teachers' expectations of their students can influence their academic performance.
This research shed light on the powerful impact of expectations on human behavior and has since been widely studied and applied in various fields.
The term “Pygmalion effect” itself derives its name from the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion, a renowned sculptor based in Cyprus, who fell in love with his own creation. He devoted all his attention to crafting his ideal woman from the finest materials he could ever find, whom he later named “Galatea”.
The story left such a lasting impression on me that I recently set aside dedicated time to reminisce about it.
The myth recounts that Pygmalion’s love for Galatea was so intense that he treated the statue as if it were a living woman.
He adorned it with exquisite attire, engaged in daily conversations filled with words of love and devotion with it, and even placed it on plush pillows and luxurious sheets to sleep next to him.
These acts of affection earned him the sympathy of Aphrodite, who transformed the statue into a real woman.
The way Pygmalion viewed and treated his statue as if it possessed life itself until it transformed into a real person illustrates how our beliefs about someone can shape how we treat them, ultimately influencing their transformation into who we believe them to be, hence the “self-fulfilling prophecy”.
The Galatea effect
As if destined to be intertwined, there exists the Galatea effect alongside the Pygmalion effect, even in the realm of nomenclature.
The term “Galatea effect” was coined by social psychologists Edward A. Locke and Gary P. Latham in their influential book “A Theory of Goal Setting & Task Performance”, published in 1990.
While the concept itself predated their work, Locke and Latham introduced this term as a counterpart to Pygmalion effect to highlight the significance of self-beliefs and self-expectations in shaping individual performance and behavior.
In their book, Locke and Latham extensively explored the impact of goal setting on task performance and discussed various psychological factors that influence individual achievement.
Galatea effect emerged as a concept that underscored the importance of an individual's self-beliefs and self-perception as crucial determinants of their performance.
Since its introduction, Galatea effect has been a subject of study and discussion in the fields of psychology and organizational behavior, focusing on the role of self-efficacy, self-beliefs, and personal expectations in shaping individual performance and outcomes.
While Galatea effect may not enjoy the same level of recognition as Pygmalion effect, it serves as a valuable complement in comprehending the interplay between self-belief and performance.
And similar to Pygmalion effect, Galatea effect reminds us that our beliefs about ourselves can influence the actions we take and shape us into who we believe ourselves to be.
Trust
I truly believe that things start falling into place when the right conditions align. This applies not only to everyday events but also to phenomena like Pygmalion and Galatea effects.
These effects, which are based on the power of our beliefs, highlight the crucial role of trust as the foundation that brings all the necessary elements together to unlock their transformative potential.
Building trust requires genuine words and consistent actions. In the case of Pygmalion effect, imagine a manager who always provides personalized guidance and genuinely believes in their team’s capabilities. This will create an environment where Pygmalion effect can thrive, because trust is earned and reciprocated between the manager and their team members.
But beware! If the team members discover that their manager says the same hollow phrases like “You are the only one I can count on” to everyone, trust crumbles, and the effect will fade away.
To build trust, the manager needs to foster open communication, promote transparency, show empathy in addressing past negative experiences, and actively seek feedback. And it’s crucial to be sincere in their actions and strategies, as empty gestures won’t cut it.
Similarly, Galatea effect also relies on trust, but in this case it's in ourselves, and the alignment of our actions with our self-beliefs.
It’s not just about positive affirmations; we need to take tangible steps to reinforce self-trust!
So, merely telling ourselves like “I can do it because I know I can” won’t work if deep down we know we lack the necessary knowledge. We must take the required strides to acquire knowledge, set achievable goals, and do our best to overcome challenges, to prove to ourselves that we indeed can!
By aligning our actions with our beliefs, not only do we grow to trust ourselves more and become more confident, but we also establish a solid foundation for Galatea effect to work its magic.
In a nutshell, perseverance, self-efficacy, and personal motivation are vital factors that make both Pygmalion and Galatea effects tick. But above all, trust plays a pivotal role in facilitating these factors to allow the transformative power of these effects to manifest in our lives.
Pygmalion effect on inanimate objects?
All the literature I have come across so far seems to emphasize that Pygmalion and Galatea effects are primarily focused on human beings.
But every time I imagine the story of Pygmalion, I can't help but wonder: what if we treated inanimate objects the same way Pygmalion did to Galatea? Could they somehow come to life too?
The tale of Galatea coming to life because of how Pygmalion treated her when she was still a statue reminds me of the Japanese belief that everything has a soul.
This concept deeply resonates with me as I often sense a certain “energy” lingering in objects, especially if they have been used or worn by others for some time.
It’s not that I consider myself psychic, but perhaps I’m just more “sensitive” to these things than most people at times. This heightened sensitivity is particularly noticeable when I feel grounded, tough.
In Japanese culture, I often come across instances in anime, dramas, and manga where people give specific names to their cherished objects as if they were alive, and express gratitude to these objects for their helpfulness after using them.
While these objects don't actually come to life as a result of being treated that way, according to Japanese belief, over time they may develop into benevolent or malevolent spirits known as “youkai” based on how they've been treated and used.
One notable example is the “tsukumogami” or “tool spirits” in Japanese folklore, said to become alive and self-aware after serving their owners for 100 years.
Among these tsukumogami, “kasa-obake” or “umbrella ghost” is the most commonly portrayed in animes and mangas, often described as having one eye and one leg.
When I think about how well the Japanese treat and care for their tools, it's not difficult to imagine that the same tool might have been passed down through generations.
While the existence of tsukumogami remains an urban legend, it serves as a reminder to treat our belongings with respect and gratitude.