Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Definition   

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a situation where a belief or expectation about someone or something leads to actions that make that belief come true. It occurs when people act based on their assumptions, unintentionally causing the outcome they expected.

Example   

Imagine a teacher believes that a particular student will not perform well in exams because of past performance. The teacher might give less attention and encouragement to the student, assuming they won’t succeed anyway. Over time, the student feels overlooked and discouraged, leading them to put less effort into their studies. As a result, the student performs poorly in exams, fulfilling the teacher’s original expectation.

Why it Matters   

Self-fulfilling prophecies are important because they highlight how our expectations can shape reality, often without us realizing it. They can influence how we treat others and how others perceive themselves. For example, if someone is treated as though they’re incapable of success, they may start to believe they’re not capable, even if they have the potential to achieve great things. Understanding this concept helps us be more aware of our biases and encourages us to act in ways that can create positive outcomes rather than reinforcing negative ones.