Self-fulfilling prophecy: n. "a belief that comes true because we are acting as if it is already true"
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that becomes true because the prediction itself influences our subsequent behaviors and actions in a situation. The term was first used by Robert Merton in 1948. Merton applied the idea of self-fulfilling prophecy to racial discrimination. In a nutshell, Merton argued that the false belief that African Americans were strikebreakers in the early 20th century forced them into situations where they had to be strikebreakers. Because they were believed to be strike breakers, they were not allowed to join labor unions. As a result, African Americans struggled to find jobs. When they did find jobs, they snapped up many positions that were left vacant due to strikes. Hence, Merton argues that this is what caused them to be accused of being strikebreakers.
A simple example of self-fulfilling prophecy can be found in the classroom; if a teacher believes that his or her student has low grades and will not do well for the rest of the year, his or her behavior and attitudes toward the child will reinforce this belief. The teacher will call on the student less or spend less time with the child; in the end, the child will show poorer academic performance, thus confirming the teacher's self-fulfilling prophecy.
A simple example of self-fulfilling prophecy can be found in the classroom; if a teacher believes that his or her student has low grades and will not do well for the rest of the year, his or her behavior and attitudes toward the child will reinforce this belief. The teacher will call on the student less or spend less time with the child; in the end, the child will show poorer academic performance, thus confirming the teacher's self-fulfilling prophecy.
References:
Photo Credits:
- Kaufman, C. (2012, October 11). Using Self-Fulfilling Prophecies to your Advantage. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from Psychology Today's website:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/psychology-writers/201210/using-self-fulfilling-prophecies-your-advantage - The Oxford Handbook of Analytical Sociology, ed. Peter Bearman and Peter Hedström, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009, pp. 294-314.
- Willard, Jennifer, et al. "SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY." Encyclopedia of Race, Ethnicity, and Society. 2008. SAGE Publications. 13 Oct. 2010. <http://www.sageereference.com/ethnicity/Article_n506.html>
Photo Credits:
- http://shamangene.com/BLOG/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/mayan_calendar1.jpg
- http://rsrc.psychologytoday.com/files/imagecache/article-top/blogs/49143/2012/10/108301-106029.jpg