👩‍👩‍👦intro to sociology review

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a belief or expectation that influences behaviors in a way that causes the belief to come true. It demonstrates how societal beliefs can shape individual actions, thereby reinforcing the initial assumption.

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