The Golem Effect or Negative Pygmalion Effect

Maybe you haven't heard before Golem effect. And, for those who are not a little familiar in the field of psychology and more specifically, of pedagogy, this concept is usually totally unknown. Today we explain what it is and what it consists of.

Content

• To understand the Golem effect ... we need to remember the pigmalion effect
• In what areas is the Golem effect?
  • An example in the educational field
  • In other fields

To understand the Golem effect ... we need to remember the pigmalion effect

To explain the Golem effect, it is best to resort to your little brother, the pigmalion effect. Actually, both effects are "opposite", to the point that, on many occasions, To the Golem effect is also called "negative pigmalion effect".

Then ... what is the pigmalion effect?

It is nothing more than an event in which a person achieves what is proposed from the belief that he can achieve it, In a self -complicated prophecy process, and that is enhanced by a third party.

As you can assume due to the definition we have just given, this is especially important, and it occurs greatly in schools. There, teachers enhance children and these, feeling that they can do something, end up doing it, although perhaps, by themselves they would not have been capable.

But… What is the Golem effect?

Well On the contrary. It is the process according to which a person conditions a third party so that his self -esteem decreases and believes that he is not able to do something, in such a way that, through a new self -fulfilling prophecy, he cannot definitely do not do it.

Obviously, in both cases, what happened is feed: if you are achieved something, you just believe you are capable of more things; If you do not achieve something, you end up believing that you are not able to achieve anything.

In what areas is the Golem effect?

The Golem effect (as well as the pigmalion effect) mainly tends to occur in the academic environment. However, this is not the only field in which it can be given. It is also common to see it in it Labor field and in the social field.

An example in the educational field

The educational field is where this effect has been studied most, by the hand of Rosenthal and Jacobson, who studied it in relation to self -realized prophecy.

What they discovered was that the teachers "unconsciously" classified ".

Then, by way they treated each other, The forecast they had made was ending.

For example, suppose two students, one who sits in the front row and one who sits in the last. The teacher without any apparent reason, considers that the one in front will be more likely to obtain good grades than the one who feels in the back.

Then, during the course, stimulates more to the one in front and is more benevolent with him (for example, leaving him more time to answer the questions he asked), While doing the opposite with whom he feels behind.

Over time, the one who sits in front, being more stimulated, responds better and is obtaining better qualifications, confirming the teacher's prejudice, and causing the phenomenon. The same, but conversely, happens with which he has sat back.

End of course, The one who sat in front will get a better results than the one behind, Although, in the starting situation, both were exactly the same (perhaps even the back was more likely to success at first).

In this case, the one that has sat in front has benefited from the pigmalion effect, while the one who sat in the back has been harmed by the Golem effect.

In other fields

This is quite evident in the educational field, because, in addition, children are more moldable than adults. However, It can also be given in other areas. For example, in work it is also very frequent.

We can think, for example, an employee who "falls in grace" to the boss. This worker will be aware of that best deal, and, consequently, he will strive to satisfy his boss. However, that worker who is in the opposite situation will also be aware of that different treatment, and Your performance, consequently, will be worse.

This is something that can also be seen in other social areas, although not always with the same intensity or so evident. That is why we must be able to overcome our prejudices and biases to enable everyone around us to give 100%.

As you can see, it is important to know the Golem effect, Because our son (or who knows, perhaps ourselves) may be suffering, and that is preventing him from giving 100% of his potential (in addition to, little by little, to reduce his self -esteem).