Question

Thinking that members of a particular group are unfriendly, we may act toward them in a guarded manner. As a result, we may elicit a coldness that confirms our belief. This scenario captures the essence of ____________.

the self-fulfilling prophecy
stereotype threat
the mere exposure effect
the fundamental attribution error

Answer 1

This scenario captures the essence of **the self-fulfilling prophecy**. A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a belief or expectation about a person or group leads to behaviors that cause that belief to come true. In this case, thinking that the group is unfriendly leads to guarded behavior, which in turn elicits a cold response, confirming the initial belief.