The Golem effect in us...

We want others to change; at least that's the claim and it's cool, but how many of us do know that we also have a very crucial role to play in guiding their transformation process? Yes, we do, and it's not in our rebuke.

The Pygmalion effect or its theoretical counterpart (Golem effect) respectively suggest that higher expectations (including trust I suppose) placed upon individuals can lead to an increase in their performance, and lower expectations lead to poorer performance by the individuals.

In the Gambia, by our (seemingly general) thing for naysaying, jaded negativity, and distrust of the integrity and motives of everyone else but ours, it’s safe to say that what’s prevalent here is the "Golem effect." You'll find it in schools, in workplaces, hangouts and even homes.

It's like declaring someone as good for nothing, yet expect that person do well... you see? Very near impossible because the ability to do well is largely inspired by the person's self-esteem that you've already punctured by the stigma, and so what you expect of the person will more than likely happen.

Same way, an employer who's decided on who the low and high performers of his workforce are, appraised or not, makes his bias known and recognises them with such bias, no matter how hard those unfairly classed as lowly are trying their best, God help that employer the class he's fixated with are worth their salt, because his action towards the others will dampen their enthusiasm to a point they will no longer give a rat's arse.