Latest news with #Aphrodite
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
How a 1969 IQ Study Proved Proper Expectations Can Make You Smarter
An academic study that transformed our understanding of expectations. A 1969 UCLA study of IQ reveals the critical importance of expectations, our peers, and how you can lift yourself to greater heights. The path to this study began in, of all places, Greek mythology. A lusting artist Pygmalion was a brilliant sculptor on the Greek island of Cyprus. He was a dashing man, extremely talented, and thus was a highly eligible bachelor. There was tremendous pressure for him to marry. Oddly, he was not interested in any of the women, which was causing discontent on the island. The goddess Aphrodite visited him to understand the issue. As she walked in, she marveled at the beauty of the statues that lined his studio. She was amazed that every statue resembled her. She was honored by his work and tribute. She would repay him very soon. Pygmalion's greatest creation, named Galatea, was enchantingly beautiful and a near-perfect mirror image of Aphrodite. He'd fallen in love with this statue and thus could not marry any other woman. After hearing Pygmalion's pleading prayers to make the statue real, Aphrodite granted him the wish. One night, as he leaned in to kiss the statue, he was surprised to feel soft human lips meeting his own. This moment is depicted in the priceless painting 'Pygmalion and Galatea' by Jean-Léon Gérôme: This story represents the power of transformation and belief. It inspired George Bernard Shaw's book, Pygmalion, which was later made into the famous film, My Fair Lady. In it, a phonetics professor bets he can educate a young low-income woman and prepare her to mingle with society's elite without issue. Decades later, a renowned psychologist designed a study that revealed the same central theme — that personal achievement is shaped (to a large degree) by how others see you. The IQ Study and Pygmalion Effect In 1969, UCLA psychologist Dr. Robert Rosenthal did an IQ experiment. He met with two grade-school teachers. He gave them a list of names from their new student body (20% of the class). He said that each person on that list had taken a special test and would emerge as highly intelligent within the next 12 months. In reality, those students were chosen totally at random. As a group, they were of average intelligence. The incredible finding is that, when they tested those children near the end of the year, each demonstrated significant increases in their IQ scores. So what happened? Why? The teacher's own behavior towards those students affected the outcomes. They gave the fake-talented students more attention. When one raised their hand to answer a question, the teacher often followed up to get better clarification. The teachers were more positive and encouraging to those students. Meanwhile, the teacher was much shorter with students they deemed subpar. Rosenthal speculated the teacher figured the student might be dumb, so why go the extra mile? Dr. Rosenthal said, 'When we expect certain behaviors of others, we are likely to act in ways that make the expected behavior more likely to occur.' The opposite of the Pygmalion effect is the Golem Effect; it occurs when our negative expectations generate negative results. This is partly why internalizing stereotypes is so damaging. What can we learn from these effects? Two things. The first thing The children in Rosenthal's study began to internalize the belief that they were special. They bought into the idea, 'I'm smart so I can do this.' Their self-efficacy grew and evolved and they stopped indulging in self-limiting beliefs. The act of believing something to be true can impact every aspect of our life. For example, OKCupid's founder, Christian Rudder, did a Pygmalion experiment with online dating. Researchers lied to users. They reversed the matching algorithm on a select group of singles, pairing them with people who were objectively incompatible. And told them they were high probability matches. Because the participants believed they had chemistry, they messaged each other and began flirting. They were friendlier and gave each other a shot. Incredibly, some ended up together in long term relationships. And now, somewhere out there, someone is in love with their nemesis. Become your own teacher or mentor We position ourselves to thrive by surrounding ourselves with people who believe in us and hold us to a high standard. This is why toxic people have such a devastating effect on your life. Think about a good boss versus a bad boss. A good boss knows how to communicate and holds you to high but reasonable expectations. They give you useful feedback rather than waiting for you to make a mistake and scold you. A bad boss does the opposite of those things. I've been through this myself, with a boss who made me feel like I couldn't win no matter how hard I tried. And, I've had a great boss who helped me grow, believed in me, and rooted for me to perform great. When the expectation is there to perform, you stop second guessing yourself so much. You act. You get down to the important actions that move you towards a desired outcome. A key component of this is having a growth mindset, a belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning Someone with a fixed mindset thinks their identity and fate are largely pre-determined. They are often self-defeating. 'What is the point? I'm stupid.' 'I'm too lazy to get in shape.' 'Nobody in my family is successful so I won't be.' The most successful people I've ever known have a fighting spirit, a helpful defiance in them to keep going. They don't seek out reasons they can't win. The good news? The fact that you are here reading this self-help article suggests you are likely of a growth mindset. If you are plagued by self-doubt and self-criticism, here is a strategy I learned during cognitive behavioral therapy. Keep a sheet of paper and a pen by your desk. Anytime you notice you are self-criticizing, saying you are lazy or not good enough, or indulging any negative thought—make a line on that piece of paper. Then, count the lines at the end of the day. Make it a goal to reduce that count each day. You can take it a step further and make a plus symbol anytime you realize you are indulging empowering thoughts. Seek to increase those in the same manner. This exercise will help you build awareness of your thought process, which is what drives all of the actions you take. It will help you reform and sculpt the perfect mindset. The takeaway is simple Surround yourself with great people who hold you to a high but reasonable standard. Treat yourself like another person who you are responsible for. Treat yourself like that student who believes they are talented. Have the courage to believe in yourself even if nobody else does. Become a prophet of your own success. The big idea is that when we expect a certain outcome out of a person, including ourselves, that outcome becomes more likely to occur. If you expect nothing, or mediocrity—expect exactly that.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
How a 1969 IQ Study Proved Proper Expectations Can Make You Smarter
An academic study that transformed our understanding of expectations. A 1969 UCLA study of IQ reveals the critical importance of expectations, our peers, and how you can lift yourself to greater heights. The path to this study began in, of all places, Greek mythology. A lusting artist Pygmalion was a brilliant sculptor on the Greek island of Cyprus. He was a dashing man, extremely talented, and thus was a highly eligible bachelor. There was tremendous pressure for him to marry. Oddly, he was not interested in any of the women, which was causing discontent on the island. The goddess Aphrodite visited him to understand the issue. As she walked in, she marveled at the beauty of the statues that lined his studio. She was amazed that every statue resembled her. She was honored by his work and tribute. She would repay him very soon. Pygmalion's greatest creation, named Galatea, was enchantingly beautiful and a near-perfect mirror image of Aphrodite. He'd fallen in love with this statue and thus could not marry any other woman. After hearing Pygmalion's pleading prayers to make the statue real, Aphrodite granted him the wish. One night, as he leaned in to kiss the statue, he was surprised to feel soft human lips meeting his own. This moment is depicted in the priceless painting 'Pygmalion and Galatea' by Jean-Léon Gérôme: This story represents the power of transformation and belief. It inspired George Bernard Shaw's book, Pygmalion, which was later made into the famous film, My Fair Lady. In it, a phonetics professor bets he can educate a young low-income woman and prepare her to mingle with society's elite without issue. Decades later, a renowned psychologist designed a study that revealed the same central theme — that personal achievement is shaped (to a large degree) by how others see you. The IQ Study and Pygmalion Effect In 1969, UCLA psychologist Dr. Robert Rosenthal did an IQ experiment. He met with two grade-school teachers. He gave them a list of names from their new student body (20% of the class). He said that each person on that list had taken a special test and would emerge as highly intelligent within the next 12 months. In reality, those students were chosen totally at random. As a group, they were of average intelligence. The incredible finding is that, when they tested those children near the end of the year, each demonstrated significant increases in their IQ scores. So what happened? Why? The teacher's own behavior towards those students affected the outcomes. They gave the fake-talented students more attention. When one raised their hand to answer a question, the teacher often followed up to get better clarification. The teachers were more positive and encouraging to those students. Meanwhile, the teacher was much shorter with students they deemed subpar. Rosenthal speculated the teacher figured the student might be dumb, so why go the extra mile? Dr. Rosenthal said, 'When we expect certain behaviors of others, we are likely to act in ways that make the expected behavior more likely to occur.' The opposite of the Pygmalion effect is the Golem Effect; it occurs when our negative expectations generate negative results. This is partly why internalizing stereotypes is so damaging. What can we learn from these effects? Two things. The first thing The children in Rosenthal's study began to internalize the belief that they were special. They bought into the idea, 'I'm smart so I can do this.' Their self-efficacy grew and evolved and they stopped indulging in self-limiting beliefs. The act of believing something to be true can impact every aspect of our life. For example, OKCupid's founder, Christian Rudder, did a Pygmalion experiment with online dating. Researchers lied to users. They reversed the matching algorithm on a select group of singles, pairing them with people who were objectively incompatible. And told them they were high probability matches. Because the participants believed they had chemistry, they messaged each other and began flirting. They were friendlier and gave each other a shot. Incredibly, some ended up together in long term relationships. And now, somewhere out there, someone is in love with their nemesis. Become your own teacher or mentor We position ourselves to thrive by surrounding ourselves with people who believe in us and hold us to a high standard. This is why toxic people have such a devastating effect on your life. Think about a good boss versus a bad boss. A good boss knows how to communicate and holds you to high but reasonable expectations. They give you useful feedback rather than waiting for you to make a mistake and scold you. A bad boss does the opposite of those things. I've been through this myself, with a boss who made me feel like I couldn't win no matter how hard I tried. And, I've had a great boss who helped me grow, believed in me, and rooted for me to perform great. When the expectation is there to perform, you stop second guessing yourself so much. You act. You get down to the important actions that move you towards a desired outcome. A key component of this is having a growth mindset, a belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning Someone with a fixed mindset thinks their identity and fate are largely pre-determined. They are often self-defeating. 'What is the point? I'm stupid.' 'I'm too lazy to get in shape.' 'Nobody in my family is successful so I won't be.' The most successful people I've ever known have a fighting spirit, a helpful defiance in them to keep going. They don't seek out reasons they can't win. The good news? The fact that you are here reading this self-help article suggests you are likely of a growth mindset. If you are plagued by self-doubt and self-criticism, here is a strategy I learned during cognitive behavioral therapy. Keep a sheet of paper and a pen by your desk. Anytime you notice you are self-criticizing, saying you are lazy or not good enough, or indulging any negative thought—make a line on that piece of paper. Then, count the lines at the end of the day. Make it a goal to reduce that count each day. You can take it a step further and make a plus symbol anytime you realize you are indulging empowering thoughts. Seek to increase those in the same manner. This exercise will help you build awareness of your thought process, which is what drives all of the actions you take. It will help you reform and sculpt the perfect mindset. The takeaway is simple Surround yourself with great people who hold you to a high but reasonable standard. Treat yourself like another person who you are responsible for. Treat yourself like that student who believes they are talented. Have the courage to believe in yourself even if nobody else does. Become a prophet of your own success. The big idea is that when we expect a certain outcome out of a person, including ourselves, that outcome becomes more likely to occur. If you expect nothing, or mediocrity—expect exactly that.
USA Today
19-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Summer of Aphrodite: Deng, 15, becomes first Canadian champion of U.S. Girls' Junior
The summer of Aphrodite is upon us. Aphrodite Deng, a 15-year-old from Canada, captured the 2025 U.S. Girls' Junior on Saturday at Atlanta Athletic Club in Georgia, topping 16-year-old Xingtong Chen from Singapore 2 and 1 in the 36-hole championship final for her first USGA title and biggest win of her life. It's also the first time a Canadian has won the U.S. Girls' Junior title. "It feels unreal, and I can't believe it," she told NBC Sports' Kay Cockerill. "It was really hard to keep the lead, especially the last few holes because I got really tired. During my break, I just rested well." Deng led 4 up after the morning 18 holes on Chen, the first player from Singapore to play in the championship match of the U.S. Girls' Junior. In the afternoon, Chen won two of the first five holes to shrink her deficit to 2 down, but Deng fought back, building her lead back to 4 up with five holes to play. But Chen wasn't done. She made birdie on the 32nd hole to win the hole and then won with par on the 34th when she was three down, forcing a 35th hole. However, both players made par on the long par-3 17th, giving Deng the Glenna Collett Vare Trophy. "She played really solid, and it was a really good match," Deng said of Chen. The victory for Deng is the latest in a long list of big wins this year. It started taking the title in the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley and followed that up with winning the Mizuho Americas Open. Now, she's a USGA champion. Last year, the junior circuit belonged to Rianne Malixi and Asterisk Talley, who combined won three USGA championships with Malixi beating Talley in the championship finals at the U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Girls' Junior. 2025 belongs to Aphrodite Deng, who can now try to match Malixi with a win at the U.S. Women's Amateur next month at Bandon Dunes.
Bangkok Post
07-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Discover fascinating Cyprus with Siam Society
Siam Society is holding a study trip to explore the fascinating history, breathtaking landscapes and diverse culture of Cyprus, from Oct 9-17. Cyprus is an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, located south of Turkey, west of Syria and Lebanon, and north of Egypt. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, it has long been a melting pot of cultures and civilisations. According to Greek legend, Cyprus is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. With a rich and fascinating history, the island has been influenced by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans, leaving behind remarkable archaeological and cultural treasures. Today, Cyprus remains a divided country, with the Republic of Cyprus in the south and the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the north, separated by the UN-patrolled Green Line in Nicosia, the world's last divided capital. Beyond its historical and political significance, Cyprus is renowned for its natural beauty, from the Troodos Mountains to the crystal-clear waters of Ayia Napa and the rugged Akamas Peninsula. The island's culture is a unique blend of Greek and Turkish influences, reflected in its charming villages, rich culinary traditions and vibrant heritage. Led by Chulamanee Chartsuwan, the upcoming trip will take participants to see a mix of rich history and cultural heritage in Nicosia where they will also stop by the official residence of the Archbishop of Cyprus. The itinerary includes stops at churches, mosques, monasteries, castles, museums and historic cities.
Time Out Dubai
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Futuristic dining spot Zenon Dubai gets a new menu this summer
Tucked inside Kempinski Central Avenue, Zenon Dubai is far from your typical dinner spot. Sure, it's a looker, and yes, it's got flair, but you don't go here for normal. You go here for the extraordinary. The striking interior – inspired by Greek mythology – makes the spot stand out in Dubai's crowded fine dining scene, while the anamorphic screens and laser lighting give the space a futuristic, otherworldly feel. Prefer to dine outside? The terrace offers a temperature-controlled setting that's perfect for relaxed evenings. With stunning interiors and a Mediterranean-meets-Asian menu, this is the perfect spot when you're trying to impress someone special. Meet the chefs Helmed by the talented trio, chef Lorenzo Buccarini, chef Thomas Papas and chef Tatsuya Ueda, the kitchen is where tradition meets modern. Chef Lorenzo, a La Petite Maison graduate trained in Italy, brings a wealth of experience from Bali, the Bahamas and Dubai to the table, infusing each dish with seasonal Italian charm. Chef Thomas, meanwhile, cooks straight from the soul, with Greek roots that run deep and a passion for produce that goes all the way back to picking tomatoes with his grandfather. Chef Tatsuya Ueda, a dedicated sushi chef at Zenon, embodies a futuristic and forward-looking ethos with every dish. Between them, they've racked up accolades from Gault&Millau and Gambero Rosso, and it shows. Explore the new menu This is where things get interesting. The new menu additions bring together refined techniques with big, bold flavours. The beef tataki is glorious. A thinly sliced beef striploin that's lightly seared and served with daikon, ponzu, red onions and a spicy citrus soy sauce. There's the shrimp saganaki drenched in a rich tomato base layered between langoustine bisque and bubbling feta, and the wagyu beef skewers that marry soy, mirin and miso with a crunchy hit of spicy tempura flakes. Don't sleep on the maccheroncini al pesto. It might sound familiar, but the garlic-chilli breadcrumb crumble gives it a cheeky twist. Prefer something chilled to start? The seabass ceviche dressed in passion fruit leche de tigre is a zesty number that balances citrus, spice and crunch in all the right places. Don't miss the ebi miso yaki, a tiger prawn grilled just right, brushed with miso mayo, and finished with a flicker of togarashi spice. Bold, punchy and rather good with a glass of something chilled. For dessert, the Aphrodite cheesecake keeps things sweet. This modern cheesecake comes wrapped in a lovely phyllo dough and is served with pistachio-yogurt parfait and honey. Or you could tuck into the Guanaja chocolate fondant masterpiece, created with camel milk ice cream and traditional sabayon with Marsala ice cream. Next time you're in the mood for something a little different, where Greek mythology meets global ingredients, you know where to book. Open daily noon-3am. Kempinski Central Avenue, @zenondubai
