A black man and a white man with equal IQ scores are told that the test they are about to take will directly measure their intelligence.If _____ becomes a factor for the black man,he is likely to do _____ on the test than the white man will.
A) stereotype threat; better
B) stereotype threat; worse
C) defensive performance; better
D) defensive performance; worse

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When stereotype threat is introduced, it causes added pressure and anxiety for the individual, leading them to underperform compared to their actual ability. Studies have shown that this effect is more prevalent for individuals from stigmatized groups such as Black individuals. Therefore, the black man is likely to do worse on the test because of stereotype threat. Defensive performance, on the other hand, refers to an individual's attempt to protect their self-esteem by intentionally lowering their performance, which is not likely to be a factor in this scenario.

A Black Man and a White Man with Equal IQ