One of the most serious consequences . . . is the dehumanizing negative evaluations we attach to people when they have been plastered with a damning label. Because we have slapped a label on them, we assume we have identified the essence of this person semantically branded.

. . . Thomas Merton (1948) coined the term "self-fulfilling prophecy" which has become the focus of numerous studies . . .

The power of labels to stigmatize, create self-fulfilling prophecies and reduce or enhance self-images is awesome . . . Until we learn to appreciate the power of language and the importance of using it responsibly, we will continue to produce negative social consequences for those victimized by dangerous language habits.
J. Dan Rothwell, Telling It Like It Isn't: Language Misuse and Malpractice/What We Can Do About It

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