Causation

Stereotypes and Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Stereotypes can trigger a self-fulfilling prophecy through a distinct causal process. When an individual holds a stereotypic belief about another person, it creates an expectation. This expectation influences the individual's behavior toward the other person, which in turn elicits a response from that person that confirms the original stereotype. This cycle not only reinforces the biased belief but can also lead to acts of prejudice and discrimination.

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Updated 2026-05-02

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