Self-Fulfilling Prophecies and Self-Defeating Behavior

Abstract

“One of the most theoretically important findings to emerge from the sociological and psychological literatures has been the discovery that expectations frequently create the conditions that bring about their own fulfillment - an effect that Merton termed the self-fulfilling prophecy (Merton, 1948). Much of the excitement in the research that has followed Merton’s statement has been generated by its clear relevance to societal concerns, including the ways in which negatively stereotyped children are left behind in the educational process, to ways in which those who have sought treatment for mental difficulties are labeled by others and treated in a fashion that can sustain or increase their difficulties. In short, the idea that one individual, entrapped in the expectations and stereotypes of others, can somehow be caused to fulfill those expectations holds out the promise of understanding many social phenomena. Similarly, there is a great deal of interest in self-defeating behaviors - the nation that we sometimes engage in behaviors that harm or defeat us. And, as with the self-fulfilling prophecy, a deeper understanding of self-defeating behaviors may enable us to design interventions that minimize their harmful effects.” (Hilton, Darley, & Fleming, 1989, Abstract)