Which word meaning 'labels' is described as creating self-fulfilling stereotypes?

• A. Norms
• B. Beliefs
• C. Labels
• D. Tools

Answer: (C)

Labels shape how others treat someone and how the person sees themselves. When a person is labeled in a certain way, people respond to them based on that label, and the labeled person may internalize those expectations. Over time, these social reactions and self-perceptions push the person to act in ways that confirm the stereotype, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. This is the idea behind labeling theory in sociology. Norms are general expectations for behavior, beliefs are ideas held as true, and tools are objects used to accomplish tasks; none of these capture the specific mechanism by which labeling can steer someone toward fulfilling a stereotype.