Date of Award

5-2007

Document Type

Senior Project

First Advisor

Cheryl Terrance

Abstract

Stereotypes have been shown to have a detrimental effect on those with whom negative stereotypes are associated. However, very little research exists on the positive effects experienced by those who benefit from such discrimination, a condition known as stereotype lift. This condition, termed stereotype lift is an upward effect on performance, experienced among members in a non-discriminated group. The cause of this occurrence could be due to an increase in self.-esteem or mood experienced among members of the non-discriminated group. To this end, participants in this study served as a control group to be compared against an experimental group, wherein women, but not men, experienced discrimination prior to completing a cognitive task. Conversely, participants in the control group were informed prior to completing a cognitive task that men and women were expected to perform equally well and thus experienced no discrimination. Results indicated a trend toward significant cognitive performance scores consistent with stereotype-lift. Findings concerning self-esteem and mood were each non-significant. Implications are discussed.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS