The Pygmalion Effect: The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

he Pygmalion effect is commonly known or referred to as the 'self-fulfilling prophecy.'

To fully grasp the Pygmalion effect, it is important to understand the example the book gives. It describes the relationship and interaction shared between teachers and students. The book talks about the impact of teachers on their students. 'When teachers hold higher expectations of certain students (changing their behavior toward these students), these particular students responded by meeting teacher expectations.' This action committed by the teachers can effect the students both positively and negatively. Teachers begin to have very high expectations for those whom they believe have a better chance of accomplishment overall. This could be seen by a teacher speaking differently to those students or spending more time helping them succeed. However, the students that are viewed with low expectations, usually 'boys, minorities or low-income youth', do not succeed as much.

If a class full of students gets an average low score, the teacher will not feel fulfilled. Teachers are the direct cause that effect their students. If the effect is not strong; in this case being the students grades, that means the cause was weak as well. Teachers control their own …show more content…
These students would therefore not be benefited in any way by the prophesy, or other teaching methods. Again, this would hurt the teachers individual effect from receiving confidence through students learning what they taught. The 'self-fulfilling prophesy' in turn works both ways. The relationship between teachers and students have a direct correlation with the accomplishments both achieve. Although the teacher is the one to run the classroom atmosphere, they are benefiting just as much, if not more. When they see the students acquiring more skills and knowledge due to their guidance, it instills a sense of pride within