Self-fulfilling prophecy (social explanation) Flashcards
Effects of labelling
Can affect an individuals’ self concept and lead to SFP
Can affect the way others treat you and may lead SFP
Society may label people according to the way others treat you and this may lead to SFP
What is self-fulfilling prophecy?
It can be described as a false prediction of a situation which influences a person’s behaviour and attitude which, in turn, causes the prediction to can true. This means that, by thinking of an outcome, we model our behaviour and actions to lead to that exact outcome even though it might not have necessarily turned out that way.
It is based on the idea that society’s reaction to deviant behaviour has important consequences for the future behaviour of that deviant person. Based on the idea that an observers belief of the expectations about a person or group influence their social interactions and therefore elicits or creates the expected behaviour.
It is a prediction that comes true simply because it has been made.
How can it explain criminal behaviour?
We define certain acts such as stealing as criminal. The person who commits this act is then labelled by society as a criminal. Having being labelled in this way, the person is treated by society in a way that is consistent with the criminal label. This in turn makes the person adopt the label ‘criminal’ as part of their self image and this affects their future behaviour.
Stereotypes
SPF also uses stereotypes, the observers beliefs are based on their schemas or stereotypes relating to that group or individual. They will tend more to notice, and even seek behaviour that conforms to their expectations, and ignore that which doesn’t. This acts as reinforcement of their opinion.
How does it work?
If someone is labelled in a certain way. What happens is that person (perceiver) has a belief about someone (the target). The perceiver then treats the target in accordance to this belief, which in turn causes the target to behave in a way that appears to confirm the perceivers original beliefs. People are suspicious and give little opportunity to change or disprove the label. Once this happens the label is internalised and the person begins to see no other route than to act in accordance with the label.
