Understanding Self-Fulfilling Prophecies and the Pygmalion Effect

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy according to Robert Merton?

• A belief that is always true

• A false definition that becomes true through behavior

• A scientific law

• A random occurrence

How does the cycle of self-fulfilling prophecies begin?

• With a scientific experiment

• With a belief about oneself

• With a random event

• With a historical event

What is a potential negative outcome of self-fulfilling prophecies?

• They always lead to positive results

• They only affect fictional characters

• They can reinforce negative stereotypes

• They have no real-world impact

What impact can self-fulfilling prophecies have in job interviews?

• They guarantee a job offer

• They can influence the interviewer's behavior

• They have no impact

• They make the interviewee more nervous

How did fears during the Great Depression illustrate a self-fulfilling prophecy?

• By reducing unemployment

• By improving the economy

• By causing people to withdraw money from banks

• By increasing consumer spending

What is the significance of birth months in Canadian hockey players?

• They have no significance

• Players born early in the year have an advantage

• Players born later in the year are more successful

• Birth months determine the player's position

In the story of Oedipus, how is the prophecy fulfilled?

• Oedipus avoids his fate entirely

• Oedipus unknowingly fulfills the prophecy

• Oedipus changes his destiny

• The prophecy is proven false

What did the Pygmalion effect study by Rosenthal and Jacobson demonstrate?

• Teachers' beliefs can influence students' academic performance

• Students' performance is unaffected by teachers' beliefs

• Teachers' beliefs have no impact on students

• Students always perform according to their initial test scores

How can the Pygmalion effect be seen in everyday life?

• Through random events

• Through technological advancements

• Through media and societal stereotypes

• Through natural disasters

What role do teachers' beliefs play in the Pygmalion effect?

• They hinder student progress

• They have no role

• They are irrelevant to student success

• They act as a catalyst for student improvement