The Michelangelo phenomenon is an interpersonal process observed by psychologists in which close romantic partners influence or 'sculpt' each other. Over time, the Michelangelo effect causes individuals to develop towards what they consider their "ideal selves" and become better persons.
The researchers Drigotas, Rusbult, Wieselquist, & Whitton (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1999) explain that this phenomenon includes a three-step process:
1. An individual's perceptions of their partner fit with their partner's "ideal self" (how he or should would ideally like to be). 2. Because of these perceptions, the individual acts in ways that bring out those behaviors in their partner. 3. The partner becomes increasingly like the ideal self that he or she would like to be.
叫做 Michelangelo phenomenon (又名 Michelangelo effect)，
米開朗基羅現象，或是米開朗基羅效應，
是指－－
一個好的伴侶能看見你的好、了解你的需求、了解你想變成什麼樣的人，
並且持續給你支持、協助，讓你一點一滴地變成一個更好的人。」
2. Because of these perceptions, the individual acts in ways that bring out those behaviors in their partner.
3. The partner becomes increasingly like the ideal self that he or she would like to be.
稱職的另一半能順著你的特性，激發出你的潛能，
讓你變得更喜歡自己，而不是只在乎自己的需求，一味地要求你符合他的要求。