The Pygmalion Effect was initially accidentally proven on a group of elementary school students. They tested the kids and accidentally put the lowest-scorers in advanced classes and the highest-scorers in the lower classes. Both the students and teachers believed they were supposed to be in those classes. This was their reality. Six months went by before they realized the mistake that’s been made, but the results were shocking. The students who were originally underperforming outperformed the other classroom of academically stronger students in every measure.
Similar to the Placebo Effect, the Pygmalion Effect is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It proves that we rise or fall to the expectations placed upon us by the people we surround ourselves with.