Social Psychology (8): Stereotypes 2

What did Lyons & Kashima (2001) find about Stereotype Transmission?

Stereotypes are transmitted through communication chains; consistent information is retained, while inconsistent information fades.

Why do stories become more stereotypical as they are passed on?

Due to cognitive and social processes, such as simplifying information and establishing common ground.

What is the Linguistic Category Model (Semin & Fiedler, 1988)?

A model that classifies language into four abstraction levels:

• Descriptive action verb

• Interpretive action verb

• state verb

• adjective

What is Linguistic Intergroup Bias (LIB)?

A bias in which more abstract language is used for positive in-group and negative out-group behaviors, helping transmit and sustain stereotypes.

What are the consequences of Linguistic Intergroup Bias?

Abstract language makes behaviors seem more enduring and typical, reinforcing stereotypes when repeated.

Stereotype Threat

The fear that one may confirm a negative stereotype about their social group, which can impair performance.

What happens when someone experiences stereotype threat?

Concerns about being judged by stereotypes lead to anxiety, which can reduce performance, especially in stereotype-relevant domains.

What did Steele & Aronson (1995) find about stereotype threat?

Black participants performed worse on a test when their ethnicity was made salient (e.g., through demographic questions), indicating stereotype threat.

What did Spencer, Steele & Quinn (1999) find about Stereotype Threat?

Women performed worse than men on a math test when told it measured gender differences; no difference when the test was presented as gender-neutral.

How can stereotype threat be reduced?

• Reducing threat perception (e.g., individuating, making multiple identities salient, viewing traits as malleable)

• Strengthening coping (e.g., self-affirmation, mindfulness)

• Creating identity-safe environments (e.g., role models, single-group contexts)

What are identity-safe environments?

Contexts where stigmatized individuals feel valued and not judged by stereotypes, helping buffer against stereotype threat.

What did Sherman et al. (2013) find about preventing stereotype threat?

That stereotype threat could be countered: Latin American students earned higher grades in value affirmation condition compared to control.