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A self-fulfilling prophecy: linking belief to behavior
1Departments of Physics and Humanities (Emeritus), Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623-5603, USA. vvrsps@rit.edu
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|October 13, 2011
Summary
This study explores the concepts of freewill and determinism and their connection to the self. It suggests that experiential freewill plays a role in self-fulfilling prophecies.
Area of Science:
- Philosophy of Mind
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Historical philosophical debates on freewill versus determinism.
- The self as a construct influenced by internal and external factors.
- The concept of self-fulfilling prophecies in shaping personal reality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the evolution of freewill and determinism concepts.
- To analyze the relationship between these concepts and the nature of the self.
- To propose the utility of experiential freewill in self-perception and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical and contemporary philosophical arguments.
- Conceptual analysis of freewill, determinism, and the self.
- Exploration of psychological theories on self-perception and prophecy.
Main Results:
- Freewill and determinism represent enduring philosophical tensions.
- The self is intricately linked to beliefs about agency and causality.
- Experiential freewill may actively contribute to self-defined outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Understanding freewill and determinism is crucial for defining the self.
- Experiential freewill offers a framework for understanding self-efficacy.
- The interplay between belief and outcome highlights the dynamic nature of the self.
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