Self Fulfilling Prophecy

Week 2

The concept of self-fulfilling prophecy essentially states that when one believes something to be true, even though it is at the time false, that person will alter his or her behavior to make the prior belief (the prophecy), reality. This idea, although it may seem a bit colorful, is actually quite logically based and has many practical applications.

First, because this is essentially a causal relationship, it is both documentable and falsifiable. The self-fulfilling prophecy essentially works as a type of construction. We are quite familiar with other constructions, such as cultural constructions, that are not actually true until a person or group of people make it true. In the same way simply by belief the self-fulfilling prophecy constructs a new reality.

Second, although this principle originates in sociology and has been most noticeably applied to education, the impacts of the theory can be applied in virtually any atmosphere. Because the theory essentially works off of a motivation principle any environment from business to military to anything in between can benefit from its efforts. The simple fact is, humans rarely work at 100% of their ability, and even further we many times direct our efforts at faulty goals. The self-fulfilling prophecy works to both increase our ability and redirect our pursuits to the goal of the prophecy.

Third, it is interesting how much of this theory takes place on an unconscious and peripherally processed level. As we all know, many of our common everyday decisions take place on a peripheral level and are based more on preconceptions than actual high order cognitive thought. Self-fulfilling prophecy essentially changes a preconception, thus resulting in completely changed behavior on the peripheral level. Although these decisions are usually small, when viewed in their sheer amount it is easy to see how powerful this concept can be. Furthermore, the conglomeration of these smaller peripheral decisions can progress to influence centrally processed decisions, thus creating a multiplied effect.

In conclusion, the impacts of this theory are easily established. It is important to note how this tool can be used both positively and negatively.