Pygmalion in the Classroom

The Pygmalion in the Classroom refers to a concept from educational psychology where teachers' expectations of students influence actual student performance. Essentially, when teachers believe certain students will excel, they tend to treat them differently—offering more attention and encouragement—which boosts those students' confidence and achievement. Conversely, lower expectations can negatively impact performance. This phenomenon shows how beliefs and attitudes can shape educational outcomes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high, unbiased expectations for all students to foster their potential.