The fundamental attribution error plays a role in this because, the error is made by people in which they attribute someone else 's behavior more to their personality and characteristic then to the situation in which they have been placed. In reality, someone 's behavior is actually more likely to be caused by the environment and situation that they have been placed in as opposed to their personality.
The self-fulfilling prophecy explains how one 's expectations about another person will eventually lead that person to behave in ways that would confirm these expectations. For example, the kids in Jane Elliot 's experiment, the ones that were told they were dirty, not good enough, not smart enough etc started behaving as if they were all of those things. Therefore, a negative comment and expectation could arouse a negative view of oneself which may lower the self-esteem. For example, if a person were to make a comment that I was irresponsible and expected me to not handle my tasks responsibly; I would then confirm these expectations by acting irresponsibly. By confirming these expectations and behaving in that manner, I am more likely to hold a more negative view of myself which would in turn lower my self-esteem.
When people hold a large number of negative stereotypes about certain groups (or people), then they may be more likely to feel negative about themselves. Also, the self-fulfilling prophecy talks about behaving in ways that would confirm people 's expectations, making that group (or person) more susceptible to having low self-esteem if they easily confirm those expectations. References
Peplau, L. A., Sears, D. O., & Taylor, S. E. (2006). 1. L. Jewell, Ed. Cognitive Theories (12 ed). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.
Bloom, S. G. (2005, September). Lesson of a Lifetime. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved March 25, 2007, from www.smithsonianmag.com
References: Peplau, L. A., Sears, D. O., & Taylor, S. E. (2006). 1. L. Jewell, Ed. Cognitive Theories (12 ed). New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. Bloom, S. G. (2005, September). Lesson of a Lifetime. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved March 25, 2007, from www.smithsonianmag.com
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