When tests were described as measuring intelligence: Hispanic students performed more poorly than white students; children from a low socioeconomic background performed more poorly than students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds; and social science majors scored lower than natural science majors. These examples all illustrate stereotype threat.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the phenomenon of stereotype threat. Stereotype threat refers to the phenomenon where individuals perform worse on a task when they are made aware of a negative stereotype about their social group that is relevant to the task. In the examples given, the tests were described as measuring intelligence, which likely activated negative stereotypes about the intelligence of Hispanic students, children from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and social science majors. As a result, these groups may have underperformed on the tests due to stereotype threat.

When Tests Were Described as Measuring Intelligence: Hispanic Students Performed