Expectancy confirmation processes arising in the social interaction sequence

Abstract

Develops the theory behind R. K. Merton's (1948) self-fulfilling prophecy and related concepts. It is argued that self-fulfilling prophecy effects occur when any one of many possible forces distort the processes occurring in normal social interactions. To elucidate this argument, a model of simple social interactions is described that involves (a) a perceiver's formation of an expectancy about a target person, (b) his or her behavior congruent with the expectancy, (c) the target's interpretation of this behavior, (d) the target's response, (e) the perceiver's interpretation of the response, and (f) the target's interpretation of his or her own response. Biasing factors that may lead to self-fulfilling prophecy effects at each step of this sequence are discussed. Several other forms of expectancy confirmation that may occur via the social interaction process are suggested. (72 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1980 American Psychological Association.