Stephen Burrell

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Step up your expectations

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The Pygmalion Effect is also known as the Rosenthal Experiment, named after a research of Robert Rosenthal at Harvard, in his famous "Oak School" experiment in 1968. It’s a psychological phenomenon in which an individual's performance is influenced by the expectations placed upon them by others. This concept is rooted in the idea that beliefs and expectations can shape reality.

When high expectations are set, individuals are more likely to feel motivated and supported, which fosters greater effort and persistence. These expectations are often communicated unconsciously through subtle cues such as tone of voice, body language, or the level of attention and encouragement provided. I think positive expectations tend to enhance performance, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that reinforces the initial belief.