Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

Stereotype threat describes the psychological discomfort associated with being confronted by a negative stereotype in a situation where one's behavior could be construed as confirming it ( Steele & Aronson 1995 ; → Stereotypes ). Scholars in a variety of disciplines have documented the pervasive influence of stereotypes on social interaction. Traditionally, this research has investigated how stereotypes distort one group's perceptions of another. For example, communication scholars have studied stereotypes' impact on whites' evaluations of black crime suspects in television news and the effects of gender stereotypes on interactions between men and women (→ Interpersonal Communication, Sex and Gender Differences in ). In recent years, the focus of stereotyping research has shifted from the behavioral correlates of endorsing stereotypes to the cognitive consequences of being targeted by them. People may not give credence to stereotypes associated with their various social identities (female, Asian, etc.), but are aware the stereotypes exist and often are as familiar with their contents as others who espouse them. Such awareness can exert a profound influence on one's interactions with others, one manifestation being “stereotype threat” (→ Imagined Interactions ; Interpersonal Communication ; Language and Social Interaction ). Various cultural stereotypes attribute deficits ... log in or subscribe to read full text