Which concept explains how expectations can shape actual performance?

Which concept explains how expectations can shape actual performance?

• A. Streaming
• B. Immediate gratification
• C. Self-fulfilling prophecy
• D. Material deprivation

Answer: (C)

Self-fulfilling prophecy is the idea that a belief about someone can bring about actions that cause that belief to come true. When others, like teachers or peers, expect a person to perform well or poorly, they adjust their behavior toward them—giving more attention, encouragement, and tougher challenges, or the opposite, with less support and more criticism. The person senses these cues, changes their effort, confidence, and engagement, and the outcome ends up matching the original expectation. This creates a cycle where belief influences behavior, which then shapes performance in line with the belief. The other options describe different social processes (like grouping by ability, choosing immediate rewards, or lacking resources) that don’t explain how expectations can actively produce the expected result.

Self-fulfilling prophecy is the idea that a belief about someone can bring about actions that cause that belief to come true. When others, like teachers or peers, expect a person to perform well or poorly, they adjust their behavior toward them—giving more attention, encouragement, and tougher challenges, or the opposite, with less support and more criticism. The person senses these cues, changes their effort, confidence, and engagement, and the outcome ends up matching the original expectation. This creates a cycle where belief influences behavior, which then shapes performance in line with the belief. The other options describe different social processes (like grouping by ability, choosing immediate rewards, or lacking resources) that don’t explain how expectations can actively produce the expected result.