Which concept suggests that a belief leads to its own fulfillment?

The concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy refers to the phenomenon where a belief or expectation about a situation or individual eventually leads to behaviors that cause that belief to come true. Essentially, if someone believes something to be true, they may unconsciously act in ways that align with that belief, influencing outcomes to match their expectations.

For example, if a teacher believes that certain students are less capable, they may provide them with less encouragement or attention. Consequently, those students may not perform as well as they could have, thereby confirming the teacher's initial belief. In this way, the belief itself directly influences the behavior and outcomes, fulfilling the prophecy.

This concept illustrates the powerful role of perception and belief in shaping reality and highlights how expectations can provoke actions that lead to the very outcomes expected—effectively creating a cycle that reinforces the initial belief. Understanding self-fulfilling prophecies is critical in social psychology as it addresses how societal perceptions and stereotypes can lead to real-world consequences.