Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

What we expect, all too often, is exactly what we get. Nowhere is this more true than in education, where teachers' expectations of students are crucial. The self-fulfilling prophecy should be of great interest to teachers, both those in training and those in service. Whether or not a teacher is aware of it, the self-fulfilling prophecy is at work, impacting students either to their benefit or their detriment. It follows that teachers should be made aware of the SFP and how it can be used effectively in education. Using the new on-line research facilities, Dr. Tauber has compiled over 700 doctoral dissertations and countless journal articles on stereotyping, perception of social differences, race, gender, ethnicity, body features, age, socioeconomic levels, special needs, and other personal and situational factors. The last part of the book presents a collection of testimonials written from the viewpoint of practitioners.

What we expect, all too often, is exactly what we get. Nowhere is this more true than in education where teachers' expectations of students are crucial.

Booknews

Explores the effects of self-fulfilling prophecy on students and teachers, with chapters on mechanisms of the self-fulfilling prophecy, and expectations linked to gender, race, name, appearance, and socioeconomic level. Testimonials by teachers at all levels relate their experiences. Useful for pre- and in-service teachers, for undergraduate courses in special education and multicultural issues, and for graduate courses in administration, special education, and counseling. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

ROBERT T. TAUBER is Professor of Education at The Behrend College of the Pennsylvania State University at Erie.