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.)