What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in psychology?

A self-fulfilling prophecy in psychology refers to a situation where an individual's expectations or beliefs about others or themselves lead to behaviors that ultimately cause those expectations to come true. This phenomenon highlights the power of expectations in shaping reality. For instance, if a teacher believes that a particular student has high potential, they may interact with that student in ways that foster achievement, which can then lead to the student performing better.

The essence of a self-fulfilling prophecy lies in the feedback loop created by the expectation and the resulting behavior. The initial belief influences not only how the individual perceives themselves or others but also affects the actions taken, which in turn reinforces the original belief. This concept is applicable in various contexts, including education, social interactions, and personal development.

In contrast, other choices do not accurately describe a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, a belief having no effect on behavior negates the very definition of a self-fulfilling prophecy, as it relies fundamentally on the influence of beliefs. Similarly, a psychological technique used to alter beliefs or a method of testing personality traits do not capture the dynamic interplay between expectation and behavior central to the concept of self-fulfilling prophecies.