Pygmalion effect

English

Etymology

Named after Rosenthal and Jacobson's 1968 book Pygmalion in the Classroom, itself named after the mythological sculptor who fell in love with his statue.

Noun

Pygmalion effect (plural Pygmalion effects)

1. The phenomenon whereby the greater the expectation placed upon people is, the better they perform.

Synonyms

• Rosenthal effect

Coordinate terms

• Golem effect

See also

• self-fulfilling prophecy
• Michelangelo phenomenon (on Wikipedia)