Today was the first day back for my Y13 Psychology students. I didn't want to overload them on their first day back, so we discussed the layout of the forthcoming year. One of the modules that they will study is criminology. We had a little discussion about it's definition and the work of criminal psychologists.
As part of the Edexcel syllabus, they must study about 'explanations of crime'. One of the explanations focuses on the self-fulfilling prophecy. This is a very interesting psychological phenomenon that occurs in everyday life. Instead of focusing on crime, we focused on the general idea of it and being lucky.
3/4 students believed in luck, whereas the remaining student believed in things happening due to their own independent efforts. I tried to suggest to the students that whilst it's OK to feel lucky, you are in control of your future (unless it is to do with winning the lottery - that we cannot control!!)
So... What is the self-fulfilling prophecy?
"A self-fulfilling prophecy is a belief that comes true because we are acting as if it is already true".
Another definition is - "a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, by the very terms of the prophecy itself, due to positive feedback between belief and behaviour." (Good Therapy, 2015)
There are several examples of using this in everyday life. One example I always use with the students relates to exam grades. If you study hard at home rather than playing video games - it's no surprise that you will score high grades. The same can be said for poor grades - poor attainment and attendance.
Another example would be in relationships. If a lady starts dating a man and believes that he is not 'marriage material', then she will take the relationship less seriously and try to limit the amount she invests in the relationship. Because of this lack of investment, the man may feel that she is distant and he probably won't stick around long.
Now on this concept of being lucky.
If you have a good relationship with your partner - are you lucky?
If you score all A*s in your GCSE's - are you luck?
If you get that new job - are you lucky?
One could argue yes. However, for me, I will keep telling my students that if you believe, then you will achieve. Hard work and determination are the key ingredients that we all need for this forthcoming academic year to reach our goals. It's time to ensure all of our students develop this 'growth mindset' which drives motivation and achievement. Here is a link to Carol Dweck's synthesis of growth v fixed mindset.
Over the coming weeks, I will start to relate this to criminology for my students. Stay tuned!
