Test 3: Stereotype Threat

Stereotyp Activation

- under those situations people are more likely to think of the expectations that are associated with their group membership -the aspect of the situation that brings the stereotype to mind, it's more readily accessible, it has been primed if you will, by that particular situation.

Self doubt activation

-Will I do well, not so well, will i confirm or disconfirm those expectations? - stereotype comes to mind, i have doubts about my ability and that sets the stage for poor performance in the domain being assessed.

Definition of stereotype threat

-fear of confirming neg. expectations based on group membership *is a situational predicament in which people are or feel themselves to be at risk of conforming to stereotypes about their social group. -situational - SO i may try very hard to disconfirm those expectations but having to worry about those preconceived stereotypical ideas may be a source of threat that will undermine my ability to do well in this particular domain to earn a good grade on the test

Researchers have identified factors increasing one's vulnerability to stereotype threat

-group identification -domain identification -stereotype knowledge or self belief

Underlying processes

-idea that neg. stereotype, and cultural stereotype are felt sharply -as a result= have to worry about conforming to these neg. expectations and it may interfere with performance. -makes it hard for you to function= you may cognitively try to focus on something but then the negative expectations cause you to worry which interfere with your ability to do well on a certain task

Working memory depletion

-idea that you experience stereotype threat when your working mem. is depleted - two things at same time: the task and worrying about negative expectation

Impact on academic performance

-why some groups tend to be overrepresented and others underrepresented -spend time documenting these disparities

Reducing stereotype threat

1. Role Models: People from the stereotype-threatened group who have been successful in the domain carry the message that stereotype threat is not an insurmountable barrier there 2. Affirming Domain Belongingness: -Direct affirmation of belongingness in the domain may be effective 3. Optimistic teacher- student relationships: -Discredit this assumption through the authority of potential-affirming adult relationships 4. Stressing the expandability of intelligence: -Help to deflect the implication of the stereotype 5. Women's leadership aspirations Davies -expose participants to gender-stereotypic TV commercials designed to elicit the female stereotype -identity safe environment

Factors increasing stereotype threat

1. Situational Factors: more common in some situations vs. others -Group identity salience -stereotype salience -evaluative scrutiny -minority status

does Stereotype threat mean internalization of stereotype??

NO -susceptibility comes from concern they have about being stereotyped

Who is most vulnerable to sterotype threat?

people that typically strongly identify with the group membership are more likely to be affected by the negative expectations it's the people that strongly identify with the domain, they care about this domain, they want to do well

is group membership good?

rovides lots of benefits, psychological, social resources but in this particular case it also means that if you strongly identify with a group you may think that the stereotype applies to you

Research on stereotype threat has shown that Blacks who are told that a test is diagnostic of their intellectual ability will

score lower on that test than Whites who have also been told the test measures ability