Question

Paul is a store manager who does not expect women to succeed in business. He therefore offers important, high-profile responsibilities only to men. If the female employers fail to move up in the company, it could be an example of a ___ ___ prophecy.

Short answer

The term for this phenomenon is 'self-fulfilling prophecy'.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Context

Paul, the store manager, has a biased belief that women cannot succeed in business. Due to his belief, he only gives important responsibilities to men. The outcome here is that women don't get an opportunity to move upward in the company.

Identifying the Social Psychology Concept

From the description, we understand that Paul's belief about women not succeeding in business has led to a situation where women are indeed not moving up in the company. This circumstance points to a concept known as a 'self-fulfilling prophecy'. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, due to the behavior, attitude or belief of the individual or individuals.

Filling the Blanks

The terms we are looking for to fill the blanks in the sentence are 'self-fulfilling'. So, the complete sentence is 'If the female employers fail to move up in the company, it could be an example of a self-fulfilling prophecy.'

Key concepts

Social Psychology

Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. In this context, Paul's belief that women may not succeed in the business world impacts his actions towards female employees, demonstrating how personal biases can affect social interactions and hierarchies within the workplace.

Understanding social psychology is crucial for recognizing patterns of behavior in group settings, such as the workplace. It can explain why certain individuals like Paul might offer opportunities disproportionately, often based on stereotypes or preconceived notions about different groups, which in this case, involve gender. By studying these interactions, we can identify ways to encourage more equitable and inclusive practices.

Gender Bias in the Workplace

Gender bias is the tendency to prefer one gender over another, which can lead to unfair and unequal treatment within the workplace. It manifests through various forms, from hiring and promotion decisions to the delegation of tasks. In Paul's scenario, his conscious or subconscious belief system about gender roles is influencing his managerial decisions, leading to fewer opportunities for women to showcase their capabilities, thereby fostering a work environment that perpetuates gender inequality.

It is essential to address gender bias to create a fair and productive work atmosphere. Awareness and training programs can help reduce unconscious biases, and organizations often implement policies that advocate for diversity and inclusion to ensure that all employees have equal opportunities to advance and succeed regardless of gender.

Psychological Concepts

Psychological concepts are theoretical ideas used to explain mental processes, behaviors, and phenomena. One such concept is the 'self-fulfilling prophecy,' which is particularly relevant to Paul's situation. This concept refers to a belief or expectation that influences a person's behavior in such a way that it ultimately causes the belief to come true. Essentially, the prophecy is self-fulfilling because the belief unwittingly guides the behavior that makes the original belief become a reality.

For instance, if Paul believes that women cannot succeed in business and acts upon this belief by not giving them high-profile roles, women in his store will struggle to advance, seemingly confirming his original misconception. This cycle can discourage women from seeking advancements, reduce their engagement, and possibly lead to decreased performance due to lack of opportunities, thereby reinforcing the gender bias that initiated the prophecy.