PsychologyCode Series – Article 1 [ Originally Written on July 11, 2013 ]
Self-Fulfilling Prophecies & Self-Limiting Beliefs
Self-fulfilling prophecies and self-limiting beliefs are two very powerful concepts in psychology. When properly understood they can allow you to better steer yourself towards your goals of the future.
Self-fulfilling prophecies stem from the fact that everything communicates. Even the most subtle body language, voice tone, eye gestures, and so forth are products of your inner thoughts. Often times our gut feelings, and hunches are produced through your brains ability to recognize and process these subtle forms of communication. Speaking of this ability, if you are interested in reading more on the subject of split-second impressions I recommend checking out the book entitled ‘blink’ by Malcolm Gladwell. In this book Malcolm offers a unique perspective into these impressions which he refers to as ‘thin-slicing’. Returning to the subject of self-fulfilling prophecies, this idea that ‘everything communicates’ is its fundamental core.
You see, it all starts with a simple idea or belief. That belief then causes you to change how you behave toward another. Next, the other person subtly notices those changes in your behaviour. This in turn leads them to act in accordance to what you initially believed – thus fulfilling the prophecy.
Here is an example:
- Jane develops a belief that Joe doesn’t like her.
- Jane behaves toward Joe as if that belief were true.
- Joe notices this behaviour which causes Joe to feel like she doesn’t like him.
- This feeling causes Joe to behave back the same way toward Jane.
- Joe’s behavior then confirms Jane’s initial belief that he doesn’t like her.
Prophecy Fulfilled, and the initial belief straightened!
This also frequently occurs when we use labels to describe someone. In reality, behaviours are complex products which are usually rooted from many previous experiences. When these experiences gradually develop into a belief it can act as a sort of anchor between the person and the behaviour. For instance say someone observed someone doing as little as possible. They may oversimplify, and say ‘they are lazy’. Eventually that person may internalize this consistent feedback, and develop a self-limiting belief that that is who they are. Now allow yourself to combine this idea with the notion of the self-fulfilling prophecy. Suddenly, it is possible to see how the person who is called lazy all the time continues to behave in that same way.
When this happens, there is a solution; there is always a solution, and that solution is Awareness!
When someone becomes aware of a self-limiting belief, and continually seeks evidence to the contrary that false-belief fades away. Once that road-block is removed from the process they will naturally move forward again toward their future goals.
Here is a summarizing analogy:
A self-limiting belief is like a seed. The self-fulfilling prophecy is like the continuous process of development. By recognizing our limiting beliefs we can change them. Once we change them that same ongoing process will drive us forward toward any one of our goals.
SeeingSharp 