The teacher-expectancy effect, also known as the Pygmalion effect in education, refers to the impact that a teacher's expectations, beliefs, or predictions about a student's academic performance or potential can have on the student's actual achievements and learning outcomes. Research has shown that when teachers hold high expectations for certain students, they may unconsciously treat those students in ways that encourage and facilitate their success, leading to improved performance that confirms the initial expectations. Conversely, low expectations can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where students perform poorly because their teachers do not believe in their ability to succeed and may provide less support or fewer opportunities. This effect highlights the powerful role of social expectations and interactions in shaping educational outcomes.