What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in social psychology?

A self-fulfilling prophecy in social psychology occurs when an individual's beliefs or expectations about another person or a situation influence their actions in such a way that the belief or expectation comes true. This dynamic illustrates how our perceptions can change behavior and ultimately lead to the confirmation of those beliefs. For example, if a teacher believes that a particular student is gifted, they may provide that student with more attention and resources, which can enhance the student's performance and indeed validate the teacher’s original belief.

The essence of this concept is that the belief not only shapes the individual's behavior but also affects the other person's behavior, thereby reinforcing the initial belief. This cyclical nature makes the self-fulfilling prophecy a powerful psychological phenomenon in social interactions.

Other choices touch on related concepts but do not capture the comprehensive dynamics of self-fulfilling prophecies. The second choice about confirming one's biases does not necessarily entail the interactive aspect where one individual's expectations affect another. The third option focuses more on self-perception rather than the influence one person's expectations have on others. Lastly, the fourth choice is about social context influencing judgment, which, while related, diverges from the core idea of how beliefs lead to specific behavioral outcomes that confirm those beliefs.