Robert Merton Once Observed That the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Is a Peculiarly

question 19

Multiple Choice

Robert Merton once observed that the self-fulfilling prophecy is a peculiarly sociological concept. Why?

• A) It focuses on aspects of behavior that have nothing to do with individual psychology.
• B) It is only useful in explaining large-scale social change, not personal or local events.
• C) It only helps to explain events where peer pressure was a key factor.
• D) The objective features of a situation are almost always more important than the human interpretation of them.
• E) Predictions of the return of Haley's comet do not influence its orbit.

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Definitions:

Consumption Possibilities

The set of all consumption bundles that can be consumed given a consumer’s income and prevailing prices.

Budget Line

A graphical representation of all possible combinations of two goods that an individual can afford given their income and the prices of the goods.

Giffin Good

A type of good for which demand increases as its price increases, contrary to the typical law of demand.

Income Effect

The influence of income adjustments on the demand for goods or services, whether in an individual's finances or within an economy.