Pygmalion effect

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Word forms

Pygmalion effect Pygmalion effects

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.

Synonyms

Related words

self-fulfilling prophecy Michelangelo phenomenon
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