Question

John has started to believe that Nicky, a female friend of his, is really a Russian spy, leading him to avoid interactions with her as much as possible. He treats all interactions with Nicky as suspect and is reluctant to share any important information with her. Which of the following principles, theorems, or concepts best explains John's behavior?

Answer 1

John's belief that his friend Nicky is a spy, and his consequent suspicious behavior, can be explained by Thomas theorem, which posits that individuals' subjective perceptions can shape their reality and result in real-life consequences.

Step-by-step explanation:

The behavior of John, who has begun to suspect that his friend Nicky is a Russian spy, can be best understood through Thomas theorem. This theorem, proposed by sociologist W.I. Thomas, suggests that 'If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences'. Essentially, John's subjective belief that Nicky is a spy, regardless of the objective truth, is shaping his interactions and behavior toward her.

John's actions reflect a subjective construction of reality, perhaps similar to a paranoid delusion, that is guiding his decision to avoid Nicky and treat all interactions with suspicion. This is an example of how individual perceptions can lead to consequential behavior changes, as John's avoidance of Nicky affects their friendship and his social actions.