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Chapter 2: Problem 1

Explain how psychologists try to avoid the selffulfilling prophecy.

Short Answer

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Psychologists try to avoid self-fulfilling prophecy by being aware of their personal biases, maintaining objectivity in assessments and diagnoses, fostering positive expectations about a client's improvement potential, and using therapeutic techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients change negative thought patterns.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Self-fulfilling Prophecy

Firstly, it needs to be understood that a self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to come true, due to positive feedback between belief and behavior. This phenomenon plays a significant role in psychology and social dynamics.
02

Awareness of Personal Bias

An initial step psychologists take to avoid self-fulfilling prophecy is by being conscious of their personal bias. They constantly check their personal assumptions and prejudice about a client's behavior or characteristics and try not to let these impact their analysis or predictions
03

Objectivity in Assessment and Diagnosis

Psychologists strive to maintain objectivity when assessing or diagnosing a client. They rely on evidence-based methods rather than using subjective judgments. This helps to mitigate the risk of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
04

Fostering Positive Expectations

Another way psychologists avoid this prophecy is by fostering positive expectations and beliefs about the client's possibility of improvement. By emphasizing potential improvement and change, the chances of limiting or negative prophecies can be reduced.
05

Using Therapeutic Techniques

Numerous therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can also help minimize the risk of self-fulfilling prophecy. These techniques help the client to identify and change negative thought patterns that could lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.

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