The self-fulfilling prophecy Flashcards
Define a self-fulfilling prophecy.
A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that comes true simply because it has been made.
Explain the role of labeling in the self-fulfilling prophecy process.
Labeling affects pupils’ achievement by creating expectations that influence how teachers treat students, which in turn impacts the students’ self-concept and performance.
Describe the first step in the self-fulfilling prophecy process according to interactionists.
The first step involves the teacher labeling a pupil and making predictions about the pupil based on that label.
How does a teacher’s treatment of a pupil influence the self-fulfilling prophecy?
The teacher treats the pupil as if the prediction is already true, which reinforces the label and expectations.
What happens to a pupil’s self-concept as a result of a teacher’s expectations?
The pupil internalizes the teacher’s expectations, which becomes part of their self-concept, leading them to embody the characteristics the teacher believed them to have.
Explain the outcome of the self-fulfilling prophecy process for the pupil.
As the pupil internalizes the teacher’s expectations, they gain confidence, try harder, and ultimately become successful, fulfilling the original prediction.
Describe the study conducted by Rosenthal and Jacobson in 1968.
In their study at Oak Community School, they informed the school about a new test designed to identify pupils who would ‘spurt’ ahead, demonstrating the self-fulfilling prophecy in action.
What is the significance of teachers’ expectations in the context of student achievement?
Teachers’ expectations can significantly influence student achievement by shaping how students perceive themselves and their abilities.
Describe the main finding of the researchers regarding the ‘spurters’ identified in the study.
The researchers found that almost half of the children identified as ‘spurters’ made significant progress over the year, particularly among younger children.
Explain the role of teachers’ beliefs in the study conducted by Rosenthal and Jacobson.
Teachers’ beliefs about the pupils were influenced by the false test results, which affected how they interacted with the students, including their body language and the level of attention and encouragement they provided.
Define the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy as demonstrated in the study.
The self-fulfilling prophecy is illustrated by the idea that by believing some children would excel, teachers’ expectations and behaviors led to those children actually making significant progress.
How did the researchers select the ‘spurters’ in the study?
The researchers randomly selected 20% of the pupils and falsely informed the school that these children had been identified as ‘spurters’ by the test.
Do the results of the study suggest that teacher expectations can influence student performance?
Yes, the results suggest that teacher expectations, shaped by their beliefs about students, can significantly influence student performance and progress.
What was the nature of the test that was administered to the pupils in the study?
The test administered to the pupils was a standard IQ test, despite the false claims made about its results.
Explain how the interaction between teachers and students may have changed due to the study’s findings.
Teachers likely altered their interactions with students identified as ‘spurters’ by providing more attention, encouragement, and positive body language, which contributed to the students’ improved performance.
What demographic of students showed a greater effect from the teachers’ beliefs in the study?
Younger children showed a greater effect from the teachers’ beliefs regarding the ‘spurters’ identified in the study.
Describe the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy in education.
The self-fulfilling prophecy in education refers to the phenomenon where a teacher’s expectations of a student can influence the student’s performance. If a teacher believes a student is capable, the student may rise to meet those expectations. Conversely, if a teacher has low expectations, the student may internalize these beliefs and underachieve.
Explain how teachers’ beliefs can impact student outcomes.
Teachers’ beliefs about students can significantly impact their outcomes. When teachers hold positive beliefs, they may provide more support and encouragement, leading to better performance. In contrast, negative beliefs can lead to lower expectations and less support, which may cause students to develop a negative self-concept and underachieve.
Define the interactionist principle illustrated by the study’s findings.
The interactionist principle illustrated by the study’s findings suggests that people’s beliefs about others can create real effects in their behavior and performance. This means that even if a belief is not true initially, the act of believing it can lead to outcomes that align with that belief.
How can low teacher expectations lead to under-achievement in students?
Low teacher expectations can lead to under-achievement in students by fostering a negative self-concept. When teachers communicate low expectations, students may begin to see themselves as failures, lose motivation, and ultimately give up trying, thus fulfilling the negative prophecy.
Do random selection of children in a study affect the validity of findings related to teacher expectations?
Random selection of children in a study helps ensure that the findings related to teacher expectations are not biased by pre-existing differences among students. It strengthens the validity of the conclusions drawn about the impact of teacher beliefs on student performance.
