Stereotype threat arises in situations where an individual is being evaluated, and a stereotype is relevant.
The term was coined by Claude Steele and Joshua Aronson in 1995.
It will wrap up with a discussion of some things that will combat stereotype threat.
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This is because the cognitive load of worrying about the stereotype is so high.
And that translates to reduced bandwidth for the brain, reduced working memory…. Theyre taking a standardized test; they dont do well on it.
So it’s in our best interest to combat stereotype threat in the various places where it exists.
Unfortunately, that growth mindset has been watered down to the point that it no longer has much impact.
Thats not going to do much…, Aronson explains.
Theyre taking a standardized test; they dont do well on it.
Still, stereotype threat can be improved if we have relationships that combat it.
Stereotypes play a big role in the fact of not knowing people very well, Aronson says.
But in a small class, where you really can get to know kids, stereotypes dont matter.
This is the same in the realm of work too.
Stereotypes and the Fragility of Academic Competence, Motivation, and Self-Concept.
In: Elliot, AJ, Dweck, CS, eds.Handbook of Competence and Motivation.
The Guilford Press; 2005:436-456.
Bogdewiecz A.Avoiding Stereotype Threat in the Workplace.
Association for Talent Development.
2022;46(4):767-773. doi:10.1038/s41366-021-01052-5
