The Pygmalion Effect: The Power of Belief Breathing Life into a Statue

In Greek mythology, King Pygmalion fell in love with Galatea, a statue of a perfect woman he had carved himself. His earnest prayer moved Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and the cold ivory statue gained life to become a living woman.

This myth-like story was reborn in modern psychology as the 'Pygmalion Effect.' The core is this: "Positive expectations and belief in someone actually change that person's behavior and performance."

I. Rosenthal's Experiment: "Your child is a genius"

In 1968, Professor Robert Rosenthal of Harvard University conducted an interesting experiment in an elementary school. After giving an IQ test to all students, he handed a list of 'the top 20% of children whose IQ would exponentially increase' to the teachers.

In fact, the list was just ordinary children chosen at random. The results were surprising. Eight months later, the children on the list actually had much higher academic achievement than other children and their IQ scores also rose significantly.

The reason lay in the 'attitude' of the teachers. Because the teachers believed those children would be excellent, they asked questions more often, praised them more, and waited even when they made mistakes. Through that warm gaze, the children formed a self-concept like "I am a truly excellent child," and worked harder to meet those expectations.

II. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

The Pygmalion Effect is a form of 'self-fulfilling prophecy.'

1. Beliefs we have about others (That person is lazy / That person is competent).
2. Actions according to our beliefs (Treating them with indifference / Giving them more opportunities).
3. Our actions affect the beliefs of others (I'm not recognized / I can do it).
4. Others' beliefs affect their performance.
5. That performance reinforces our beliefs again (See? I was right. That person is lazy).

This huge feedback loop shows how important the gaze we have toward others, or toward ourselves, is.

III. Whose Pygmalion are You?

We have an immense influence on the people around us, knowingly or unknowingly.

• As a leader: Instead of pointing out team members' shortcomings, when you sincerely believe in their potential, they finally display supernatural powers.
• As a parent: The eye that discovers the probability behind a child's report card is like a magic wand that determines the child's entire life.
• To myself: Most important is the expectation you have for yourself. Instead of labels like "I'm just this way," embrace the ideal you want to become in your heart and look at yourself warmly.

Conclusion: Your Gaze is a Tool for Creation

The Pygmalion Effect tells us that we are each other's 'sculptors.' If we treat someone as a criminal, they will gradually change that way; if we treat them as a hero, the sleeping hero within them will awaken.

Look again at the person next to you today. Try to find their own hidden 'Galatea' beyond their shortcomings. A single word of your sincere expectation might breathe life back into someone's stopped heart.