Exam 3: Perspectives on Society and Interaction

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A self-fulfilling prophecy is a belief or expectation that influences a person's behavior in such a way that it ultimately brings about the expected outcome. In other words, when someone believes something will happen, they may unconsciously behave in a way that actually causes that belief to come true.

This concept is important to understanding social inequality because it can perpetuate and reinforce existing inequalities. For example, if a teacher believes that certain students are not capable of academic success, they may inadvertently treat those students differently, providing less support and encouragement, which can ultimately lead to the students underperforming. This then reinforces the initial belief that the students are not capable, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Another example of a self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of social inequality is the "cycle of poverty." If individuals from low-income backgrounds are constantly told and made to feel that they will never be able to escape poverty, they may internalize this belief and not strive for better opportunities, ultimately perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

In both of these examples, the self-fulfilling prophecy becomes a mechanism through which social inequality is maintained and perpetuated. By understanding this concept, we can work towards breaking these cycles and creating more equitable opportunities for all individuals.

Correct Answer:

Answered by Examlex AI Copilot

The self-fulfilling prophecy is a concept in which a belief or expectation about a future event leads to behaviors that ultimately cause the belief or expectation to come true. In other words, a person's belief in something can influence their actions in a way that makes the belief a reality.

One example of a self-fulfilling prophecy is the "Pygmalion effect," in which higher expectations lead to an increase in performance. For instance, if a teacher believes that a student is capable of excelling in school, they may provide more support and encouragement, which in turn can lead the student to perform better academically.

Another example is the "Stockholm syndrome," in which hostages develop positive feelings towards their captors. This can occur when hostages begin to empathize with their captors and may even defend them, ultimately leading to a situation where the captors have more control over the hostages.

Understanding the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy is important because it highlights the power of beliefs and expectations in shaping our behaviors and outcomes. It emphasizes the need to be aware of our own beliefs and how they can influence our actions and the actions of others. By understanding this concept, individuals can work to challenge and change negative beliefs and expectations in order to create more positive outcomes. Additionally, it can also help individuals recognize when they may be inadvertently contributing to a self-fulfilling prophecy and take steps to alter their behavior accordingly.