When teachers were informed that some children in their classes had been identified as "bloomers," the students were later found to have significantly improved their test scores over the following year. In fact, the students were randomly selected and had no greater intellectual abilities than their classmates. This study illustrates the phenomenon of __________.

Question

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This study illustrates the self-fulfilling prophecy, as the teachers' belief that certain students were "bloomers" led them to provide those students with more attention, encouragement, and feedback. As a result, these students improved their test scores, not because they had innate higher intellectual abilities, but because of the teachers' actions based on the belief in their potential.

When Teachers Were Informed That Some Children in Their Classes