Challenging Negative Perceptions About Individuals in Our Care

There’s no doubt that with the hugely rewarding highs of working in schools and health and social care settings, also comes some challenging lows. Relationships with the children, young people, and adults we support can be extremely intense. It’s natural to sometimes have feelings of frustration, annoyance and even anger – we are only human, after all. If, however, we give these thoughts and feelings the wrong type of airtime, letting them spill into our conversations with staff and colleagues, and influencing our responses, we risk creating a negative behaviour culture.

Instead, we need to challenge our preconceived ideas and beliefs around the individuals in our care. Holding judgements and letting them affect our practice is hugely damaging for the individual and wider culture of our setting. We all need an outlet to debrief and vent feelings of frustration and perhaps annoyance, but it’s how we do it that’s important.

The expectancy effect

The expectancy effect is when we hold a belief about another person’s behaviour. This preconceived idea can lead the individual to start behaving in the way we are expecting them to.

For example, when a new member of staff is told that an individual is prone to misbehave, is rude, and uncompliant, they’re more likely to treat them differently. Perhaps they single the individual out, react to behaviours they might ignore from another person, or make unnecessary demands because of what they’ve been told. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy because the individual then behaves as initially described. This validates the staff member’s opinion of them, and the cycle continues.

For the child, young person or adult, incorrect preconceptions of them and their behaviour can be extremely damaging. It can attribute to low self-esteem, self-worth, and the ability to form trusting relationships. When they don’t feel they are treated fairly and respectfully, they are more likely to become distressed.

When we harbour preconceived judgements around those we support, the impact is huge. Not only are the individuals themselves affected, but also the wider staff culture.

How preconceptions can affect our responses

The way we respond to the behaviours we’re presented with can significantly alter the course of events. If we enter a situation with preconceived ideas and negative assumptions about how someone is going to behave, we’re setting them up to fail. Experiences drive feelings and subsequent responses, both for us as professionals and those we support. Then, when we publicly relay these negative feelings, other people are likely to form a damaging view of the individual, too.

Perceived judgements can influence our actions and how we deal with situations. We can subconsciously react to a person’s behaviour instead of responding and understanding it. Reactions based on preconceived ideas are not in the best interests of the individual.