William I. Thomas

William I. Thomas was a sociologist known for his work on social interactions and how people's perceptions shape reality. He proposed the "Thomas theorem," which states that if people believe something is true, it can influence their behavior, even if the belief isn’t based on fact. For example, if a community believes a certain group is dangerous, they may treat that group differently, which can reinforce negative stereotypes. His ideas help explain how social expectations and perceptions can impact real-world outcomes and societal relationships.