Research: Seeing yourself as a failure is a self-fulfilling prophecy

0

An interesting new study , conducted in Japan, suggests that we should be less critical of ourselves. Thinking of yourself as a failure increases the likelihood that you will actually achieve nothing.

Scientists from Shinshu University found that when we hold negative beliefs about ourselves (for example, saying, “I'm a failure” ), these thoughts tend to self-reproduce and influence future self-perception. In other words, negative thoughts about yourself can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Researchers conducted an experiment with students. The latter believed that they were testing a new model of machine learning that evaluates personal qualities. After each question of a fake psychological test, participants received feedback about their personal qualities, behavioral tendencies, and future prospects.

Then participants had to rate how true they thought this feedback was. According to the researchers, people who already see themselves in a negative light are more likely to recall negative feedback because it is consistent with their established self-perception.