3-2. Stereotype - Effect
Introduction:
Definition: Stereotype is a generalized and rather fixed way of thinking about a group of people
· In group bias: See in-group as being superior to the out-group to increase self-esteem.
· Out-group homogeneity: see the members of outgroups as more similar to each other than they actually are.
· (In group bias + Out-group homogeneity) Negative stereotype about out-group member
Stereotype will generate negative effect, such as stereotype threat.
Stereotype threat indicates internalized stereotypes could influence an individual’s self-perception and behavior in negative ways.
How: Stereotype threat will increase “spotlight anxiety” or the feeling of that you are being judged. The anxiety then harms the performance.
Body:
Steele and Aronson
Aim: if stereotype threat would affect the performance of African Americans on a test of verbal abilities
Procedure: 76 participants
· Condition 1: participants were told that the test is a verbal ability test
· Condition 2: participants were told that the test is problem-solving skills test
· Condition 3: participants’ race was told before the beginning of the test.
Result:
· Condition 1: African American scored lower than white American
· Condition 2: African American performed as well as white American.
· Condition 3: African American did worse than white American
Linkback: Stereotype of verbal ability for African American generates spotlight anxiety, which will make them perform worse.
Evaluation-strength:
· Control group-high internal validity
Evaluation-limitation:
· Sample size bias-low generalizability
· low ecological validity (participants will not face verbal test in the real world)
Martin and Halverson
Aim: to investigate if gender stereotypes would influence memory recall.
Procedure:
· Show children pictures of males and females performing gender-consistent and gender-inconsistent activities.
· A week later, recall what they had seen in the pictures & rate level of confidence.
Result:
· Had distorted memories of gender-inconsistent pictures.
· More confident and demonstrated less distortion of memory of gender consistent pictures.
Linkback:
· Gender stereotypes could influence memory recall
· As schemas, gender stereotypes affect which kinds of information are noticed and remembered.
Conclusion:
Theory evaluation-strength:
· Testable/Empirical evidence: Hamilton & Gifford and Steele and Aronson
· Application: Theory of stereotype explains why people sometimes will demonstrate worse performance and racism.
Theory evaluation-limitation:
· Unbiased (sample size bias- People with different races and skin colors are not judged and discriminated against, so they may not show bad behavior.)
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