Pygmalion Effect

As the landscape of California education changes and school administrators improvise their plan of action, the importance of testing, accountability, and student achievement never change. High stakes testing on standardized assessment is often used as the only measure of school effectiveness, quality instruction, and teacher-student interaction. That being the case, studies report that students that are engaged in school are much more successful in many areas. As stated previously, engagement can be difficult to qualify and quantify though it is generally represented by a student that is displaying effort, providing attention, offering persistence during the lesson activities, and involved in school activities. This level of engagement in school begins with how the people in the school interact and build relationships. Teacher-student relationships and peer relationships are significant predictors of a sense of school belonging which contributes to school engagement and helps to define the culture of a school.

The benefit of relationship connections is based on thorough psychological theory. The interaction of people and the human support that is provided aligns with the principles of Bandura’s (1971) social learning theory as well as, Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) ecological system’s theory. As a foundation, these theories provide sound support for how a school culture of high expectation can influence the academic achievement of the student. Both theories, in conjunction with the Rosenthal effect, better known as the Pygmalion effect, provide a sound base for the idea that school culture can impact student achievement.

The Pygmalion effect, studied by psychologist Robert Rosenthal, is a phenomenon in which high expectations lead to improved performance. The name comes from the Greek story of Pygmalion. Pygmalion was a sculptor that carved a marble statue of a woman and subsequently became enamored with it. According to the myth, Pygmalion wanted the statue to be human and Aphrodite obliged by bringing the statue to life. The couple fell in love and married.

According to education research, in the same way Pygmalion willed the statue to life, our focus on a belief can do the same. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whether the expectation comes from ourselves or another, the effect manifests in the same way.

The bottom line is our focus needs to be in creating a healthy, supportive, positive culture for our students in order for them to thrive.

Until next time...