Leon Festinger (1919–1989), American social psychologist, responsible for the development of the theory of cognitive dissonance
The film starred Sissy Spacek, Tom Wilkinson, and Marisa Tomei, and was nominated for five Academy Awards – Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role (Wilkinson), Actress in a Leading Role (Spacek), Actress in a Supporting Role (Tomei), and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Published (Robert Festinger & Field).
Festinger and his colleagues saw this as a case that would lead to the arousal of dissonance when the prophecy failed.