Question

A group of men and women are going to be rated on their driving abilities. The role of gender is emphasized in the experiment and the women perform worse than the men. In another experiment, the role of gender is not mentioned and the ratings are comparable between the two groups. Which principle do these results support? (A) Institutional discrimination (B) Stereotype threat (C) Prejudice (D) The just-world hypothesis

Short answer

Stereotype threat.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Concept of the Principle

Each answer choice represents a principle or phenomenon in social psychology. It is important to understand what each principle means: - Institutional discrimination: Unfair treatment that is ingrained in organizations.- Stereotype threat: When awareness of a negative stereotype causes individuals to perform worse.- Prejudice: Preconceived opinion not based on reason or actual experience.- The just-world hypothesis: The belief that the world is fair, so people get what they deserve.

Analyze the Experiment Description

Review the details of the experiment. When gender is emphasized, women perform worse than men. When gender is not mentioned, performance between groups is comparable. Key factors include the mention of gender and changes in performance.

Match Description to Principles

The result where women's performance worsens only when gender is emphasized matches the principle of stereotype threat. Stereotype threat suggests that awareness of a stereotype (e.g., women are worse drivers) negatively impacts performance.

Conclude the Supported Principle

Given the conditions and results of the experiment, the principle supported is Stereotype Threat. None of the other choices (institutional discrimination, prejudice, or just-world hypothesis) match the described phenomenon.

Key concepts

gender stereotypes

Gender stereotypes are generalized beliefs about the characteristics and behaviors of men and women.
These stereotypes can be positive, negative, or neutral, but they often lead to unfair assumptions.
In the context of driving, a stereotype might suggest that women are worse drivers than men.
These assumptions can affect individuals' performance and behavior.
In the experiment discussed, the emphasis on gender triggered the stereotype, leading to poorer performance by women.
This exemplifies how powerful and detrimental gender stereotypes can be, affecting self-confidence and behavior.

performance anxiety

Performance anxiety occurs when individuals experience stress or fear about their ability to perform well.
This fear can significantly impair one's performance in tasks, such as driving, public speaking, or exams.
In the experiment, when the role of gender was emphasized, women might have experienced stress due to societal stereotypes.
They might have worried about confirming the negative stereotype of being poor drivers.
This anxiety can interfere with cognitive processes critical for task performance, such as attention and memory.
Reducing performance anxiety involves creating a supportive environment and challenging negative stereotypes.

social psychology concepts

Social psychology studies how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.
Key concepts include social influence, group dynamics, and social perception.
Stereotype threat is a social psychology concept explaining how individuals' awareness of stereotypes affects their behavior.
The experiment illustrates how social contexts can lead to different outcomes based on the presence of specific cues, like mentioning gender.
Understanding these concepts can help identify and mitigate factors that unfairly affect individuals' performance.

educational psychology

Educational psychology focuses on how people learn and retain knowledge.
It involves studying factors that enhance or hinder learning and performance.
Stereotype threat is relevant in educational settings; it can impact students' academic performance.
For example, reminding female students about gender stereotypes before a math test can impair their performance.
To improve educational outcomes, it's crucial to create a stereotype-free learning environment and reinforce positive self-beliefs.
Techniques like providing role models and promoting a growth mindset can help combat these negative effects.

behavioral sciences

Behavioral sciences study the actions and interactions of humans.
These sciences incorporate psychology, sociology, and anthropology to understand behavior comprehensively.
Stereotype threat, as showcased in the experiment, is a behavioral response to social cues.
It highlights how deeply ingrained social beliefs and stereotypes can manifest in behavior and performance.
By studying such phenomena, behavioral scientists can develop strategies to reduce the impact of negative stereotypes.
This knowledge is crucial for creating fair and equitable environments in various spheres, including education and employment.