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Will Haskell · 07-27-2006, 04:55 AM

I saw Brian Grasso's recent newsletter that mentioned the use of Mozart theory in Athletic Development and wanted to mention another Psychology related method call The Pygmalion Effect. A term that was the coined after an interesting, and revealing study done on the effects of student-teacher interactions at an early age.

The short version of the Pygmalion Effect is that students (athletes) will perform well based on the notion that the teacher (coach) expects them to do so. When learning this in college for the first time, I found it strange and unapplicable to my own studies finding it hard to believe that my eventual grade could be based on how my professor thought I was going to perform in the class.

To relate this concept to coaching, the signals a coach sends to an athlete can go way beyond visual, auditory or kinesthetic cues. The studies that have been done have indicated that this effect is most recognizable at early ages (5-8 years) as children are more susceptible to unconsiously receiving and interpreting indirect cues displayed by a coach. The study reinforced my own feelings on the topic when I was still a proud collegian and seemingly unscathed by this effect based on my age. I had passed the developmental milestone where this concept would have any measurable effect on my psyche or my GPA. However, the plasticity of a developing psyche will make an unconsiously keen and absorbant child and the nature of these indirect signals can ultimately lead to positive or negative associations with physical activity or sport.
It's important for us as coaches to remember that although we may be positive with our young athletes, a mundane detail such as a breathing pattern, could convey a sign of frustration to a young child.
As many of us find ourselves coaching for long periods of time, please remember that we have to do for ourselves what we try to do for our athletes. While we all strive to support ourselves, our families and earn an income to enjoy some of life's experiences, it is important to understand that a coach at the end of a day could be sending that 8-year old kid a message of dismissal out of fatigue. If that means shortening your schedule, taking a few minutes in between groups of athletes to revive yourself, or a weekend away from it all...do it! The benefits can be long lasting for you, and your athletes.

Will Haskell
Athletic Development Specialist

07-27-2006, 04:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Will Haskell Fitness Expert Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 51	The Pygmalion Effect I saw Brian Grasso's recent newsletter that mentioned the use of Mozart theory in Athletic Development and wanted to mention another Psychology related method call The Pygmalion Effect. A term that was the coined after an interesting, and revealing study done on the effects of student-teacher interactions at an early age. The short version of the Pygmalion Effect is that students (athletes) will perform well based on the notion that the teacher (coach) expects them to do so. When learning this in college for the first time, I found it strange and unapplicable to my own studies finding it hard to believe that my eventual grade could be based on how my professor thought I was going to perform in the class. To relate this concept to coaching, the signals a coach sends to an athlete can go way beyond visual, auditory or kinesthetic cues. The studies that have been done have indicated that this effect is most recognizable at early ages (5-8 years) as children are more susceptible to unconsiously receiving and interpreting indirect cues displayed by a coach. The study reinforced my own feelings on the topic when I was still a proud collegian and seemingly unscathed by this effect based on my age. I had passed the developmental milestone where this concept would have any measurable effect on my psyche or my GPA. However, the plasticity of a developing psyche will make an unconsiously keen and absorbant child and the nature of these indirect signals can ultimately lead to positive or negative associations with physical activity or sport. It's important for us as coaches to remember that although we may be positive with our young athletes, a mundane detail such as a breathing pattern, could convey a sign of frustration to a young child. As many of us find ourselves coaching for long periods of time, please remember that we have to do for ourselves what we try to do for our athletes. While we all strive to support ourselves, our families and earn an income to enjoy some of life's experiences, it is important to understand that a coach at the end of a day could be sending that 8-year old kid a message of dismissal out of fatigue. If that means shortening your schedule, taking a few minutes in between groups of athletes to revive yourself, or a weekend away from it all...do it! The benefits can be long lasting for you, and your athletes. Will Haskell Athletic Development Specialist