Which of the following statements is true regarding teachers' influences on student performance?

• A. Student performance is determined solely by innate intelligence, regardless of teacher behavior.
• B. Teachers' expectations can significantly affect students' academic achievement through the self-fulfilling prophecy effect.
• C. Teachers' influences are limited to classroom management and do not extend to academic achievement.
• D. Teachers have no measurable impact on students' motivation or learning outcomes.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy in educational psychology, which refers to how a teacher's expectations about a student's performance can influence the student's actual achievement.
2. Recognize that student performance is influenced by multiple factors, including innate intelligence, but it is not determined solely by it; environmental factors such as teacher behavior play a significant role.
3. Evaluate the statements by considering research evidence showing that teachers' expectations can positively or negatively impact students' motivation, engagement, and academic outcomes.
4. Identify that teachers' influences extend beyond classroom management to include shaping students' beliefs about their abilities and fostering a supportive learning environment.
5. Conclude that the statement highlighting teachers' expectations affecting academic achievement through the self-fulfilling prophecy effect is true, while the others underestimate or ignore the teacher's role.