Date of Completion
11-18-2016
Embargo Period
11-18-2016
Advisors
Diane M. Quinn, Felicia Pratto, Stephanie Milan
Field of Study
Psychological Sciences
Degree
Master of Science
Open Access
Open Access
Abstract
Research demonstrates that members of stigmatized groups may underperform when stereotype threat is induced. No research, however, has examined whether attributing underperformance to stereotype threat is perceived as a likely or valid explanation. In two experiments White students were randomly assigned to review the test performance of a fellow student described as a racial/ethnic minority (stigmatized group) or White (non-stigmatized group). Experiment 1 revealed that Hispanic and Black students were significantly more likely to have their underperformance attributed to dispositional and stereotypic causes than a White student. Experiment 2 revealed that White students perceived attributing underperformance to stereotype threat as a less valid explanation of underperformance compared to test anxiety. Moreover, all situational attributions for underperformance were perceived as less valid when provided by a Hispanic rather than White student. These findings suggest that majority students who are less vulnerable to stereotype threat do not detect it in others and are generally incredulous of its adverse effects.
Recommended Citation
Camacho, Gabriel, "The Perceived Validity of Stereotype Threat as an Explanation for Underperformance" (2016). Master's Theses. 1034.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/gs_theses/1034
Major Advisor
Diane M. Quinn