Define and Give Two Examples of the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The self-fulfilling prophecy is a concept in which a belief or expectation about a future event leads to behaviors that ultimately cause the belief or expectation to come true. In other words, a person's belief in something can influence their actions in a way that makes the belief a reality.

One example of a self-fulfilling prophecy is the "Pygmalion effect," in which higher expectations lead to an increase in performance. For instance, if a teacher believes that a student is capable of excelling in school, they may provide more support and encouragement, which in turn can lead the student to perform better academically.

Another example is the "Stockholm syndrome," in which hostages develop positive feelings towards their captors. This can occur when hostages begin to empathize with their captors and may even defend them, ultimately leading to a situation where the captors have more control over the hostages.

Understanding the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy is important because it highlights the power of beliefs and expectations in shaping our behaviors and outcomes. It emphasizes the need to be aware of our own beliefs and how they can influence our actions and the actions of others. By understanding this concept, individuals can work to challenge and change negative beliefs and expectations in order to create more positive outcomes. Additionally, it can also help individuals recognize when they may be inadvertently contributing to a self-fulfilling prophecy and take steps to alter their behavior accordingly.

Define and Give Two Examples of the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Definitions: