Since before we were born, we have been involved in the discourse of our parents, uncles and grandparents. What color will your eyes be? What will your personality be? They think and talk about us, if we are going to be this or that, which football team we are going to support and even the jobs that we are going to follow. Thus, throughout our childhood and life, these expectations are, in addition to our own brand, determining our path.
But how does all this affect our decisions and choices in life?In this article, we’ll show you what self-fulfilling prophecies are and what effect they have on our lives.
- We consider that self-fulfilling prophecies are the predictive thoughts that people have and that.
- Once issued.
- Become the cause that will make them a reality.
- In this way.
- An expectation is generated that ends up being met.
The Pygmaleo effect is directly related to the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy, because it involves believing in someone who, simply by existing, models and facilitates behavior that makes it possible.
Self-fulfilling prophecies and expectations about a person’s behavior can be positive or negative. If we believe that we will fail in a test or activity, it is likely that it will change our behavior for this to happen, and that belief will shape our responses and the way we read reality.
Robert K. Merton has researched the subject, giving structure to the concept and its consequences, found that this belief is essential for behavior, even if it begins without foundation, many experiments have been conducted on the Pygmy effect on children, for example, It was found that if a teacher had low expectations of his students, they would earn less and, on the other hand, if expectations remained high , children would have amazing results.
Changing some of the prophecies that have been made in your own life is difficult, but not impossible, because our psychic apparatus is strong and has many resources; however, in the case of children, the beliefs and expectations of parents and adults around. are crucial and can change the course of future behavior.
Faced with these limiting or encouraging expectations, children travel the world to deal with different situations. If a child is labeled “rebel,” “vague,” or “stupid,” their development will likely be mediocre, difficult, and complicated. It is important to pay attention to these problems, as children absorb the entire environment around them.
The development of self-confidence and self-esteem is directly related to our parents’ expectations and beliefs about us, just look inside a family to see how each member occupies a place, so we have a smart sister, a beautiful, kind, athletic brother, etc You have to be very careful with these tags, they are brands for life.
Remember some of the personal situations in which you were affected by the Pygmy effect and your own self-fulfilling prophecies?You must learn to disconnect from these thoughts, both about yourself and others. What can you do with them? Consider the following:
? Detect those thoughts. If you’re in situations that indicate a negative ending, try to think that the future is uncertain and that you can do it right; you have the potential to solve everything.
? Pay attention to the language you use and what you say near your children. Remember that they are eager to absorb what comes from important people; in that case, you.
? Discuss the limiting beliefs behind these prophecies. The next time that happens, it will certainly be easier to see the mechanism you are using.
? Look for valuable experiences that allow you to verify the opposing prophecy.
As we see, it is not only possible to recognize the Pigmaleão effect in ourselves, but we can also, from a conscious and mature reflection, realize how we are and neutralize its negative impact on our lives. What would we do with it? Nothing more and nothing less than a busy life, free of ties and negative concepts that limit the infinite potential of the human being.
Image courtesy of Alba Soler Photography