"If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences." This statement was made by sociologist(s) Emile Durkheim W. I. and Dorothy S. Thomas Mark Snyder and Arnold Buss Erving Goffman

The statement "If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences" is attributed to **W. I. (William Isaac) and Dorothy S. Thomas**. They introduced the concept of the **self-fulfilling prophecy** in their 1928 work, highlighting how individuals' beliefs and definitions of a situation can influence outcomes, making those beliefs manifest in reality. ### Option Explained: - **Emile Durkheim**: A foundational sociologist known for his work on social facts and structural functionalism, but not associated with this specific statement. - **W. I. and Dorothy S. Thomas**: Correct. They coined the term "self-fulfilling prophecy," which aligns directly with the quoted statement. - **Mark Snyder and Arnold Buss**: Psychologists focused on other areas of study, not credited with this statement. - **Erving Goffman**: Known for his work on dramaturgy and symbolic interactionism, but did not originate this specific quote. **Correct Answer:** **W. I. and Dorothy S. Thomas**