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Rachel lives in an area that has a high incidence of criminal activity - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 9 - 2018 - Paper 2
Question 9
Rachel lives in an area that has a high incidence of criminal activity. Her older brother has frequently been in trouble with the police for anti-social behaviour an... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Rachel lives in an area that has a high incidence of criminal activity - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 9 - 2018 - Paper 2
Step 1
Self-fulfilling prophecy explanation
Answer
Self-fulfilling prophecy is rooted in the concept of labels. When an individual is labeled in a specific way, particularly in contexts of negative behaviour, this label influences how others perceive and interact with them. For Rachel, living in an area with a high incidence of crime means that she is likely to be labeled as anti-social.
This label can lead others to treat her differently, often with suspicion or wariness. As people interact with her based on this label, she may internalize it, believing that she indeed is the anti-social person they perceive her to be. This internalization can subsequently affect her behaviour, leading her to act in accordance with the label.
Thus, the self-fulfilling nature of the prophecy comes into play as Rachel, influenced by both her environment and the reactions of others, begins to behave in ways that align with the label of anti-social, fulfilling the expectations set by those around her.
Step 2
Contextual reference
Answer
In Rachel’s case, her background significantly contributes to her label. With an older brother known for anti-social behaviour and her living in a crime-heavy area, the community is likely to view her through a similar lens. When she engages in behaviour such as being drunk and disorderly, it confirms the negative label placed on her. Moreover, individuals in her vicinity might avoid or treat her differently due to these preconceived notions.
As a result, she might feel isolated or pressured to conform to the expectations of being a 'troublemaker,' leading to repeated instances of anti-social behaviour, such as her recent arrest. This cycle of labelling and the resultant behaviour exemplifies the self-fulfilling prophecy at work, ultimately reinforcing the very label that was initially attached to her.