The Dulcinea Effect

The Dulcinea Effect refers to a tendency for people to idealize and romanticize someone they admire, often overlooking their flaws and imperfections. This concept originates from the character Dulcinea del Toboso in Miguel de Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote," where the protagonist sees her as a perfect embodiment of beauty and virtue, despite never actually meeting her. In general knowledge, this effect highlights how admiration can skew our perception, prompting us to view someone in an overly positive light, which can affect relationships, expectations, and judgments about real people.