self fulfilling prophecy

Question 1

Robert merton described it as a false definition of the situation evoking a new behaviour, which makes the originally false conception come true.

Question 2

stages

Answer 2

1. labelling the person
2. treatment of the person based on label
3. behaviour in line with the label; the person reacts to expectations and behaves in line with label. internalising it
4. feedback after behaviour affects self belief
   this fulfils the expectations and confirms the label; therefore the behaviour continues

Question 3

process

Answer 3

• someone may assume that a person will act in an antisocial way due to a stereotype.
• this person is labelled and treated in accordance to it, with expectation of anti social behaviour
• gives them little opportunity to change or disprove label
• internalises it
• stigmatised and isolated from society, offender seeks support from deviant groups.
• lives up to expectation, fulfilling the prophecy of being a criminal

Question 4

Rosenthal and Jacobson

Answer 4

aim= to find out if teachers would react differently to students if they were told that some would learn more quickly than others.
method= IQ scores were taken and students randomly assigned to one of two conditions. some students were labelled as academic bloomers with greater potential.
results= bloomers had higher IQ
conclusion= teachers expectations influenced their behaviour towards students.
– study demonstrates the beliefs of teachers can result in their prophecies

Question 5

how may it lead to criminal behaviour?

Answer 5

if a person is labelled as coming from a socially disadvantaged area or bad family there may be an expectation.
having acquired this label, they may be treated differently
they may then feel if they are going to be treated like a criminal why not act like one. sfp

Question 6

individual differences

Answer 6

• not everyone responds to it
• those with high self esteem and less regard for opinions

some actively resist labels given
eg. fight not to follow criminal career path

Question 7

evidence

Answer 7

:) Rosenthal
therefore the beliefs of teachers impacted the success of students. gives further credibility to SFP as explanation.
:( this study provides an exp of academic behaviour from which estimations can be made about the potential influence of the criminal related expectations of others and subsequent behaviour but makes the application of SFP to criminal related behaviour limited.
CA= would be difficult to measure in criminals as difficult to see which expectations and labels came before act.

Question 8

application

Answer 8

can be positive if expectations about behaviour are good. it can be used in a pos way to reduce likelihood of crime.
if we apply pos labels and set high exes to offenders then we may see their behaviour become more social.

Question 9

S/W

Answer 9

reductionist exp
does not take into account how person learns antisocial behaviour they are expected to carry out. also focuses on nurture rather than nature and does not take into account that people may be predisposed.
can explain gender differences - males more likely to be labelled

Question 10

alternative

Answer 10

social learning theory