Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Definition

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, by the very act of the prophecy or expectation being stated. It is a phenomenon where an individual's expectations about a situation or person can influence their own behavior, leading to the fulfillment of those expectations, regardless of whether the original expectations were accurate or not.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Self-fulfilling prophecies can occur in various contexts, including interpersonal relationships, organizational settings, and educational environments.
2. Individuals with high expectations of themselves or others are more likely to exhibit behaviors and make choices that lead to the fulfillment of those expectations.
3. The self-fulfilling prophecy can create a cycle of reinforcement, where initial expectations shape behavior, and the resulting behavior then confirms the original expectations.
4. Negative self-fulfilling prophecies can lead to self-sabotage, as individuals may unconsciously act in ways that align with their low expectations, ultimately limiting their potential.
5. Positive self-fulfilling prophecies can foster personal growth and achievement, as individuals live up to the high expectations placed on them.

Review Questions

• Explain how self-fulfilling prophecies can influence communication within organizations.
  • Self-fulfilling prophecies can significantly impact communication in organizations. For example, if a manager has low expectations of an employee's abilities, they may communicate with the employee in a way that conveys those low expectations. The employee, in turn, may internalize the manager's expectations and start to perform poorly, confirming the initial prophecy. Conversely, if a manager has high expectations of an employee, they may communicate in a more supportive and encouraging manner, leading the employee to rise to the occasion and fulfill those positive expectations. The way communication is framed and the expectations conveyed can shape the outcomes, creating a self-fulfilling cycle.
• Analyze how the Pygmalion effect and the Rosenthal effect relate to self-fulfilling prophecies in organizational communication.
  • The Pygmalion effect and the Rosenthal effect are closely related to the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies in organizational communication. The Pygmalion effect describes how higher expectations placed on individuals can lead to improved performance and better outcomes, while the Rosenthal effect demonstrates how the expectations of an authority figure, such as a manager or supervisor, can influence the behavior and performance of their subordinates. In both cases, the initial expectations shape the subsequent communication and interactions, ultimately leading to the fulfillment of those expectations. This highlights the power of self-fulfilling prophecies, where the way individuals are perceived and communicated with can directly impact their actual performance and outcomes within the organization.
• Evaluate the potential consequences of negative self-fulfilling prophecies in the context of organizational communication and suggest strategies to mitigate their impact.
  • Negative self-fulfilling prophecies in organizational communication can have detrimental consequences, such as diminished employee morale, decreased productivity, and strained relationships between managers and employees. When negative expectations are communicated, employees may internalize these beliefs and start to exhibit behaviors that confirm the prophecy, leading to a self-reinforcing cycle of underperformance. To mitigate the impact of negative self-fulfilling prophecies, organizations should focus on fostering a positive and supportive communication environment. This can involve providing regular feedback, setting clear and achievable goals, and emphasizing the strengths and potential of employees rather than dwelling on their weaknesses. Additionally, training managers to be aware of their own biases and to communicate in a more constructive and empowering manner can help break the cycle of negative self-fulfilling prophecies and promote a more collaborative and productive organizational culture.

Related terms

Pygmalion Effect:

The Pygmalion effect refers to the phenomenon where higher expectations placed on people lead to improved performance and better outcomes.

Rosenthal Effect: The Rosenthal effect, also known as the experimenter's bias, describes how the expectations of an experimenter can influence the results of an experiment, causing the participants to unconsciously behave in ways that confirm the experimenter's hypothesis.

Stereotype Threat:

Stereotype threat is the experience of anxiety or concern in a situation where a person has the potential to confirm a negative stereotype about their social group, which can lead to underperformance and the fulfillment of that stereotype.