Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Do they have to bring it about by trying to avert it, or does it count if they try to make the prophecy happen (but wouldn't have if it wasn't prophesized). I'm wondering if Mac Beth counts as an example of self-fulfilling prophecy (Mac Beth pretty clearly wouldn't have killed the king if it weren't for the witches predicting his kingship).

Either way, I suspect, although the general point of the trope is that people, upon learning of a prophecy, then embark on the necessary set of actions to fulfill it, when they would not have done so had the prophecy not been known. In slightly shorter terms, the prophecy creates the conditions for its own fulfillment. Whether that's deliberate or accidental is irrelevant.

When the term is used in everday life, it doesn't specify that it is because they try to avert it. Quite the opposite, it is usually because people believe it and so they act accordingly. A big example of self-fulfilling prophecy in the real world is the fact that sociological studies repeatedly show that people tend to respond to sterotyping of their race/gender/whatever by acting according to the stereotype.

It works on an individual level, too. If your parents told you that you're smart, then you're more likely to read a lot and study. If your parents tell you that your looks are your best asset, you're more likely to spend a lot of time grooming and such.

edited 6th Oct '10 11:36:56 PM by lala

Or how the reason no one votes for third party candidates is because third party candidates never win, because no one votes for them.

Check out Flash Forward. It has examples of both. Some people see their future and like what they see, so they go to great efforts to make sure it comes true. Some people see their future and don't like wha tthey see, but their efforts to prevent it end up backfiring.

^^^^^In essence I believe it is a psychological process.Your subconconcious makes it possible regardless of that

edited 2nd Nov '10 8:56:49 AM by FallenLegend