self-fulfilling-prophecy

[KatyBr]

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy


Description
If a person thinks we are clever or stupid or whatever, they will treat us that way. If we are treated as if we are clever, stupid or whatever, we will act, and even become, this way. The person has thus had their prophecy about us fulfilled!

This is also known as the Pygmalion Effect.
http://changingminds.org/explanations/t ... ophecy.htm

[Slava]

Here's another one of those things I've always taken a bit differently. This description is of someone else's prophecy/expectation of US. I've always seen it as our OWN prophecy about ourselves.

As in "The Little Engine That Could." "I think I can, I think I can." He could

If you're always telling yourself you're stupid, or can't do X, Y, or Z, you can't.

That's a self-fulfilling prophecy to me. Though I do see the other usage as fitting.

"I think I can get a job, I think I can get a job, I think I can get a job...."

[Stargzer]

How you are treated by others can affect how you act and how you perceive yourself. If you are told during your entire life you are worthless and incompetent, then unless you have an extremely strong personality and sense of self-worth, you may end up fulfilling the other person's prophecy.