Self Fulfilling Prophecy

This term was used in the speech contest at my club yesterday and I am spurred on to read more about it. 

There are 2 important self fulfilling prophecy theories ,both are premised on the power of expectations .

While the Pygmalion effect is based on people's  expectation of others , the Galatea effect is rooted in self expectation . It can be said that people believing in other people's capability  or  an idividual believing about  oneself works .

  Galatea effect 
What one can accomplish is really driven by what one thinks one can. The person has a strong sense of worth , has faith in his /her own capabilities , sets high goals and is highly motivated to perform well . He / she is optimistic and the positively biased optimism thus creates an upward spiral in terms of zest , energy ,drive ,  confidence and a whole lot of other attritbutes  needed for achieving  the desired outcomes.

It can easily be imagined that if such individual were  to receive further encouragement / praises from people around him/her , it would do wonders to his/her performance . 

Pygmalion Effect (Rosenthal Effect ) 
This is a phenomenon in which the higher the expectation placed on people , the better  is their performance .

The original study of this effect was in the context of teacher's expectations of students . It was observed that students who were expected to do well ACTUALLY performed well while those who were not expected to perform well did not .

If high expectation is placed on people  and if this expectation is  conveyed   clearly  , he/she will strive to live up to the expectation.   

Golem Effect 
This is the opposite to the above . It happens when a superior's prejudices or negative impressions are communicated , even in the most subtle manner ,will lead to poorer performance by the individual .