The self-fulfilling prophecy is when one person’s
expectations about another person actually lead that person to fulfill those
expectations (Merton, 1948). Merton’s theory was mostly ignored until Rosenthal
and Jacobson (1968) studied the prophecy in context of teacher’s expectations
of students in the classroom. They found that when teachers have higher
expectations of certain students, this actually influenced those students’
performance to be higher (Rosenthal & Jacobson, 1968). The interesting part
to me is that the teachers did not purposely change their behavior towards the
children with higher expectations, it happened without them even realizing it
(Rosenthal & Jacobson, 1968).
I have had similar experiences with the self-fulfilling
prophecy in volleyball. As a senior that has played volleyball at SU for 4
years, I can look back and really see how much I’ve changed and improved over
the years. Its actually kind of
incredible how much I’ve improved both mentally and physically. I think a huge
part of it is my coach and the expectations she has set for me. Coming in as a
freshman, she knows the potential you have and how to get you there.
Subconsciously, she treats each of us differently depending on her
expectations, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Unknowingly, I worked harder
every year to meet her increasing expectations. This year, she told me she has
the highest expectations for me than anyone on the team. That scared me to
death, but at the same time, it’s a huge compliment knowing I’ve met her
expectations in the past and she knows I can perform better than even I know I
can.
In regards to our fitness test every year, we have to meet
certain goals at the beginning of the season. As a freshman, you have to do 38
push-ups, run a 1:08 min 300-yard shuttle, do 45 sit-ups in a minute, and run
an 8 minute mile. After you make these goals every year, they increase for the
next year. The very first time I got the summer workout packet, I thought there
was no way I could ever make those goals. But as her expectations rose over the
years, by some miracle, I did improve my fitness goals. As a senior, I did 50
push-ups, ran a 1:00 shuttle, did 70 sit-ups, and ran a 7:30 mile. I never in a
million years would have predicted as a freshman that I would be capable of
accomplishing those goals.
I didn’t even realize it at the time, but I was constantly
adjusting my behavior to meet my coach’s expectations. Looking back, I’m amazed
at the progress I’ve made!!
References:
Merton, R.K. (1948). The self-fulfilling prophecy. The Antioch Review, 8, 193-210.
Rosenthal, R.,
& Jacobson, L. (1968). Pygmalion in
the classroom: Teacher expectation and pupils’ intellectual development.
New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Word Count: 433
I really enjoyed reading your post! I had a similar situation happen to me in high school. Not with sports, but with music. I spent all four years of high school in choir, but as a freshman I was extremely shy and didn't have a lot of expectations for myself with regards to choir. My choir director had other ideas, though, and began pushing me to audition for regional choirs and to participate in competitions. This was definitely a self-fulfilling prophecy, because he saw my enthusiasm and potential, like your coach did (even though I was so shy), and adjusted his expectations accordingly. His support and high expectations helped me place in three All-Region choirs and go to two state competitions later in high school. From my perspective as a freshman, I don't think I would ever have guessed that I could accomplish those things, but the self-fulfilling prophecy worked. I unknowingly changed my behavior according to his expectations: his goals for me in choir became my own goals, and I began to expect more and work harder, just as he wanted me to do.
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