Beliefs can bring about the reality they predict via behavioral change.
Merton's 1948 term, and the bank run is his example: a rumour of insolvency produces the withdrawals that cause it. It builds directly on the Thomas theorem.
In practice
- A supplier told the buyer expects them to be late builds slack into every promise, and delivers later than they would have.
- A team labelled as struggling receives less interesting work, performs worse, and confirms the label.
- Standing
- Builds directly on the Thomas theorem.
- Subject
- Sociology & Culture
- Essay
- How societies hold together, sort people, and change