Understanding Expectancy Effect

How Your Beliefs Shape Reality

Ever feel like things happen exactly how you thought they would? Maybe you’ve gone into a job interview thinking, “This is going to go terribly” and—surprise, surprise—it does. Or you’re convinced that someone isn’t going to like you and suddenly they seem stand-offish. It’s worth considering…maybe it’s not always bad luck, maybe it’s your subconscious.

What Is the Expectancy Effect?

Expectancy effect happens when your beliefs or expectations about a person, event, or situation influence your behaviour in a way that makes those expectations come true. It’s as if your mindset sets the stage for what’s going to happen next.

How It Works

For example, if you walk into a job interview convinced that it’s going to go badly, your nervousness might show—causing you to fumble your words or lose focus. As a result, the interview does go poorly, just as you feared. But here’s the kicker: Your negative expectations actually caused the poor performance.

In simpler terms, what you expect shapes how you act, which in turn shapes the outcome.

Common Scenarios Where the Expectancy Effect Shows Up

The expectancy effect isn’t limited to job interviews—it pops up in various areas of life, from school to relationships to sports. Let’s look at a few common examples.

Judging Based on First Impressions

Think about meeting someone new. If your first impression of them is negative (maybe you heard a rumour or just don’t vibe with them initially), you might treat them coldly without realising it. In turn, they might respond similarly, confirming your belief that they’re unfriendly. But it was your expectation that set the tone for the interaction!

Teachers’ Expectations of Students

In the classroom, the expectancy effect can have a powerful impact. If a teacher expects a student to excel, they might give them more attention and encouragement, which can boost the student’s confidence and performance. On the flip side, if a teacher expects a student to struggle, they might unconsciously offer less support, leading to poorer performance. This can set up a cycle where students live up (or down) to the expectations placed on them.

The Expectancy Effect in Action: Two Scenarios

The Exam Craze

You have a major exam coming up and you’ve convinced yourself you’re going to fail. You spend more time worrying than actually studying and when the day arrives, you’re so anxious that you blank out on simple questions. Your negative expectations have sabotaged your performance.

Now imagine the opposite: Instead of focusing on failing, you tell yourself, “I’ve got this.” You spend time studying effectively and walk into the exam feeling confident. With a positive mindset, you’re more relaxed and focused, which boosts your performance.

The Big Game

You’re about to play in a big game and you’ve built up expectations that you’re going to crush it. This confidence fuels your focus and energy, helping you perform at your best. Your belief in yourself becomes a reality.

On the other hand, if you’re convinced you’re going to make mistakes, you’re likely to feel nervous, miss opportunities, or hesitate during key moments—turning your fears into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Managing the Expectancy Effect

The good news is that you can manage the expectancy effect once you’re aware of it. Here are a few tips to help you turn your expectations into positive outcomes:

Challenge Your Beliefs

Before jumping to conclusions, ask yourself: “Why do I think this way? Is there solid evidence to support my assumption?” By questioning your beliefs, you open yourself up to alternative possibilities.

Be Open-Minded

Instead of making snap judgments about people or situations, give them a fair chance. You might find that your expectations were off and being open-minded allows for more positive interactions and outcomes.

Focus on the Present

Don’t let past experiences cloud your current judgments. Just because something happened a certain way before doesn’t mean it will happen the same way again. Focus on what’s happening right now.

Practice Empathy

Put yourself in other people’s shoes. By understanding their perspective, you’re less likely to impose unfair expectations on them, which can help foster stronger, more authentic relationships.

Expectation Shapes Experience

The expectancy effect shows that what you believe can directly influence what happens, often in subtle ways. Whether you’re going into an exam, meeting someone new, or managing a team, your mindset matters. Being aware of this phenomenon can help you break free from limiting beliefs and create more positive outcomes in your life.