How expectations shape behaviour
In this interesting study on how other people’s expectations shape us, the researchers found that other people’s expectations about us directly affect how we behave.
Understanding that other people’s expectations about us directly and immediately affect our behaviour is a vital component in understanding how we can come to be quite different people across various social situations.
I leave you with one final thought: in the real world two people are influencing each other continuously, trying to live up (or down) to each other’s expectations. Of course we only have direct control over our own expectations of others, so one implication of this study is that by changing our expectations of others we can actually change their behaviour for worse or, should we choose, for the better.
The effect may be subtle, but it’s a powerful realisation that other people’s behaviour is partly derived from how we view them, just as our behaviour is partly derived from how others view us.
I wonder what role our expectations of people involved in behaviour change programs affects the outcomes?
Viv
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