Are you holding yourself back from reaching your full potential?

Have you ever felt like something’s holding you back from reaching your full potential? It might be more common than you think. 

Former doctor and content creator Ali Abdaal posted a reel on Instagram describing a phenomenon called the Pygmalion effect. This term was coined by Harvard psychologist Robert Rosenthal in 1968; which could be the thing holding you back in life. 

Abdaal mentions, “With the help of a school principal, Lenore Jacobson, Rosenthal conducted a study about how teachers’ expectations of a student can actually influence the students performance at school.

“They found that if teachers had higher expectations of certain children, then they would perform better, and if they had lower expectations of certain children, then those ones would

do worse.”

When the study was released, Abdaal says, this phenomenon grew in popularity as people realised it wasn’t just limited to the classroom, but that these expectations could influence behaviour at work and at home; and more importantly, with our own selves. “Having low expectations of our own abilities can cause us to underperform,” he says.

 

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A post shared by Ali Abdaal (@aliabdaal) 

Mehezabin Dordi, clinical psychologist, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital elaborates, “When individuals are believed to possess certain qualities or abilities, they tend to fulfil those expectations, whether positive or negative. This effect highlights the powerful role of expectations in shaping behaviour and outcomes.” 

Some common manifestations of the Pygmalion effect in everyday life

The Pygmalion effect manifests in various aspects of everyday life, such as education, work, and relationships. In education, Dordi says, teacher expectations can significantly impact student performance, with students living up to or down to the expectations set for them. 

In the workplace, manager expectations can influence employee productivity and job performance. Employees who are perceived as competent and capable are more likely to be given challenging tasks, opportunities for advancement, and recognition for their achievements, while those who are perceived as less competent may be overlooked for promotions and career development opportunities. 

“Similarly, in relationships, partners’ beliefs about each other’s abilities and potential can shape their behavior and interactions, either fostering growth and support or hindering development and achievement,” she adds. 

In the workplace, manager expectations can influence employee productivity and job performance. (Source: Freepik)

Strategies to mitigate the negative impact of the Pygmalion effect 

According to Dordi, “Strategies to mitigate the negative impact of the Pygmalion effect involve raising awareness of one’s own beliefs and expectations, challenging negative assumptions, and fostering a growth mind-set.” 

This includes recognising and reframing limiting beliefs, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never succeed,” and replacing them with more empowering beliefs, such as “I am capable of learning and growing” or “I can overcome challenges with perseverance and effort.” 

Additionally, providing support, encouragement, and constructive feedback can help individuals overcome self-doubt and achieve their goals. By cultivating a supportive environment that nurtures growth and development, individuals can counteract the negative effects of low expectations and fulfil their potential.

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