<p>I believe what you might be referring to is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmalion_effect" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pygmalion effect</a>, an effect in social psychology where high expectations lead to improved performance in a given area: a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.</p>
<p>An interesting idea, but one which has sparked a lot of criticism over the years. I won't go as far as saying it has been debunked, but you might want to have a <a href="https://thenewstatistics.com/itns/2018/04/03/weve-been-here-before-the-replication-crisis-over-the-pygmalion-effect/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">look for yourself</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-24T16:00:38.123Z
2021-11-24T16:00:38.123Z
David Cian
<p>I recall hearing a social cognition lecture a number of years ago in which the lecturer described a particular idea that centered around the role of self-fulfilling prophecies in relationships. For example, if I believe that <em>x</em> is a hostile jerk, I'll tend to treat them in a way that makes them more hostile. (A good example of a book that subscribes to this type of a view is <em>Feeling Good Together</em> by David Burns; I'm not sure if he subscribes to the exact theory that I'm trying to remember, though).</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that there was a specific name for this, but I don't recall what it was.</p>
<p>Can someone help me identify which theory or term this is?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-19T06:37:01.043Z
Interesting concept. The only thing that comes to mind is confirmation bias. You prefer to validate your beliefs, instead of getting a positive reaction. However this does not describe the inter-personal behavior that triggers the negative behavior in the other person. It only describes the motivation for it.
Borut Flis
<social-psychology><terminology><social-cognition>
Name for the effect where people cause others to fulfill their expectations
EJoshuaS - Stand with Ukraine
# Name for the effect where people cause others to fulfill their expectations

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-08-15)

I recall hearing a social cognition lecture a number of years ago in which the lecturer described a particular idea that centered around the role of self-fulfilling prophecies in relationships. For example, if I believe that *x* is a hostile jerk, I'll tend to treat them in a way that makes them more hostile. (A good example of a book that subscribes to this type of a view is *Feeling Good Together* by David Burns; I'm not sure if he subscribes to the exact theory that I'm trying to remember, though).

I'm pretty sure that there was a specific name for this, but I don't recall what it was.

Can someone help me identify which theory or term this is?

**Tags:** social-psychology, terminology, social-cognition

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Interesting concept. The only thing that comes to mind is confirmation bias. You prefer to validate your beliefs, instead of getting a positive reaction. However this does not describe the inter-personal behavior that triggers the negative behavior in the other person. It only describes the motivation for it.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-11-24. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

I believe what you might be referring to is the [Pygmalion effect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmalion_effect), an effect in social psychology where high expectations lead to improved performance in a given area: a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.

An interesting idea, but one which has sparked a lot of criticism over the years. I won't go as far as saying it has been debunked, but you might want to have a [look for yourself](https://thenewstatistics.com/itns/2018/04/03/weve-been-here-before-the-replication-crisis-over-the-pygmalion-effect/).


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