Internal Factors - The Self Fulfilling Prophecy (Rosenthal and Jacobson)

Question 1

What is a self fulfilling prophecy?

Answer 1

Prediction that comes true purely on the basis of it being made

Question 2

How can labelling affect pupils’ achievement?

Answer 2

By creating a self fulfilling prophecy (SFP)

Question 3

3 stages of teachers creating a SFP

Answer 3

1) Teachers label a pupil and make predictions about them in relation to the label
2) The teacher interacts with the pupil based on their label and prediction
3) Tue pupil internalises the label, prediction and teacher expectations and they become the label

Question 4

Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968) Teachers Expectations and the SFP - What did R and J want to find?

Answer 4

They wanted to see how the teachers interactions with the ‘spurters’ would impact the students academic ability.

Question 5

Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968) Teachers Expectations and the SFP - What did R and J tell the school?

Answer 5

20% of the students were academic ‘spurters’. However this wasn’t true and the students were just randomly picked

Question 6

Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968) Teachers Expectations and the SFP - Results

Answer 6

The students who teacher believed to be ‘spurters’ made significant progress

Question 7

Pygmalion effect

Answer 7

High expectations lead to higher levels of achievement