Commerce (English Medium) कक्षा १२ - CBSE Question Bank Solutions for Psychology

The Pygmalion effect, or Rosenthal effect, is a psychological phenomenon in which high expectations lead to improved performance in a given area. The hypothesis was that expectations can influence performance. Robert Rosenthal chose an elementary school in California for his study and having tested all the children’s IQ, the researchers selected a sample of children at random. He informed the teachers that these were children of high academic potential. Following the test, the teachers were given the names of the ‘intellectual bloomers,’ but no scores were disclosed. At the end of the school year, all the students retook the test. While the overall scores had risen, the so called ‘intellectual bloomers’ had improved the most because of the teachers' efforts and the attention they got from them. The evidence seemed to indicate that the teachers’ expectations had an impact on the student outcomes, especially in the younger students. A similar process works in the opposite direction in the case of low expectations. The idea of the Pygmalion effect can be applied in many situations. Our beliefs about others can lead us to treat them in such a way that they subsequently start behaving in accordance with our beliefs.

Looking back on my life, I recognize that I have always struggled with anxiety. In relationships, friendships or at work. However, I misunderstood those feelings for a long time, thinking that my hyper vigilance was a positive thing which made me more productive and in-tune with others. I remember a badge I bought for myself in my early 20s which I had on my desk at work. It said “I thrive on stress. Please hassle me.” I was always on the go, feeling like I had an edge that motivated me. The truth was that I felt anxious almost all the time. I worked in the same organization for over 20 years. I loved managing my small team of staff and felt that I thrived on the stress of work. I was in a job which I perceived to be rewarding and stressful in equal measure. I was the problem solver, the one to volunteer for any task. I worked extra hours and felt a great sense of responsibility in my role. However, in early 2012, I began to struggle to manage the stress of my job. Thoughts and worries about work seeped into every part of my life. I would wake up at night with palpitations, worrying about a task I had not completed, or trying to remember if I had sent an urgent email. I found that my mind wandered to work whilst I was spending time with my family. I withdrew from friends as I didn’t have the headspace to switch off and relax.

'My Story about Work-related Stress'

Looking back on my life, I recognise that I have always struggled with anxiety in relationships, friendships or at work.

However, I misunderstood those feelings for a long time, thinking that my hyper vigilance was a positive thing which made me more productive and in tune with others. I remember a badge I bought for myself in my early 20s which I had on my desk at work. It said “I thrive on stress. Please hassle me.”

I was always on the go, feeling like I had an edge that motivated me. The truth was that I felt anxious almost all the time.

I worked in the same organisation for over 20 years. I loved managing my small team of staff and felt that I thrived on the stress of work. I was in a job which I perceived to be rewarding and stressful in equal measure. I was the problem solver, the one to volunteer for any task. I worked extra hours and felt a great sense of responsibility in my role.

However, in early 2012, I began to struggle to manage the stress of my job. Thoughts and worries about work seeped into every part of my life. I would wake up at night with palpitations, worrying about a task I had not completed, or trying to remember if I had sent an urgent email. I found that my mind wandered to work whilst I was spending time with my family. I withdrew from friends as I didn’t have the headspace to switch off and relax.