This mechanism
is used to guide behavior and conduct. It is also important to note that
Mead sees the self as a process, not as a structure. Having a self forces people
to construct their actions and responses, rather than simply expressing
them. So, for instance, if you feel great about your abilities in your communication
theory course, then it is likely that you will do well in the course. In
fact, it is likely that you will feel confident in all of your courses. This process
is often called the self-fulfilling prophecy, or the self-expectations that cause
a person to behave in such a way that the expectations are realized. When
Roger remembers his professor’s praise of his engineering abilities, he is
setting himself up to make a self-fulfilling prophecy about his performance
at his new job.