The goals, needs, and motives of people significantly influence their perceptions and behavior. The social beliefs held by individuals shape their perspectives and encourage particular behavior in social situations. Social psychologists argue that an individual's expectations concerning a situation may cause the expected outcome (Madon, Jussim, et al., 2018). In some cases, the expectation is false, but it may trigger a chain of events that lead to an outcome that is consistent with the false expectation. The outcome, therefore, validates the false expectation and makes it authentic to the perceiver. Social psychologists identify this concept as the self-fulfilling prophecy. Self-fulfilling prophecy significantly influences the social interaction and perceptions of individuals.
In a social situation where an individual meets a new acquaintance, both parties are likely to have their expectations about the other person. These expectations are likely to influence their behavior towards each other. For instance, when I meet a new friend, I will have my expectations. The fact that my good friend mentioned that we have much in common with the new acquaintance gives me the ground to form my expectations. I will more likely expect my new friend to share in most of my interests and hobbies, such as swimming. I will, therefore, talk about my interests and hobbies in most of our conversations. Also, I would maintain eye contact and be polite in my discussion as I expect my new friend to portray a similar behavior. Most of my expectations would be informed by the fact that I anticipate meeting an individual with whom I have vast similarities. I would, therefore, portray a behavior pattern that I expect the new acquaintance would approve.
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The self-fulfilling prophecy is likely to influence the outcome of the social situation, and the acquaintance may turn out to be as I expected. This is because my expectations would change my behavior in the situation (Jussim, 1986). In turn, my response is likely to influence the behavior of the new friend that I have met. The friend may modify behavior and act in a way that validates my earlier expectations. For instance, the new acquaintance may tolerate the discussion of my hobbies and interests in our conversation. He or she may even mention that his or her likes and dislikes a similar to mine. This may not be true, but my behavior may have influenced the acquaintance's modification of behavior. This would result in the actualization of my self-fulfilling prophecy.
The self-fulfilling prophecy has also had a significant impact on my education, careers, and relationships. The expectations that I have about other people may influence the behavior they depict around me. These people may, however, not portray the same response when I am not around. This has made me form illusory relationships with some people that never lasted for long. Also, in education, my parents' and teachers' expectations influenced my success. I did well in academics because most teachers had high hopes about my progress. Likewise, the career choices I have made were also influenced by the expectations of others.
References
Jussim, L. (1986). Self-fulfilling prophecies: A theoretical and integrative review. Psychological review, 93(4), 429.
Madon, S., Jussim, L., Guyll, M., Nofziger, H., Salib, E. R., Willard, J., & Scherr, K. C. (2018). The accumulation of stereotype-based self-fulfilling prophecies. Journal of personality and social psychology, 115(5), 825.
