Dana is nervous about the upcoming physics exam. She is the only girl in the class and has achieved higher scores on the assignments than most of the boys in class. She knows the boys think they're smarter and better at applying principles of physics. In this situation, Dana's nervousness is an example of

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Dana's nervousness is likely due to the stereotype threat, which is the fear of confirming a negative stereotype about one's group. She is the only girl in the class and may worry that if she doesn't do well on the exam, it will confirm the stereotype that girls are not good at physics. This can lead to anxiety and poorer performance, even if she is actually capable of doing well on the exam. Learned helplessness is a theory that suggests that some individuals develop a belief that they have no control over their outcomes, so they stop trying to succeed. Confirmation bias is a tendency to seek or interpret information in a way that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs or hypotheses. Negative schema refers to a pattern of negative beliefs or expectations that can color one's perceptions and interpretations of events. These concepts are not as relevant to Dana's situation as stereotype threat.

Dana Is Nervous About the Upcoming Physics Exam