Citation

Maris S, Claes J, Van Damme C, Hoorens V. Soc. Cogn. 2016; 34(1): 55-80.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Guilford Press)

DOI

10.1521/soco.2016.34.1.55

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The indirect stereotype change hypothesis states that if a population consists of a few groups (e.g., men and women), with group stereotypes describing how the groups differ (e.g., gender stereotypes), stereotype-relevant information about one group may affect the stereotype not only of that target group but also of an alternative group. Stereotype-inconsistent information is thought to reduce, and stereotype-hyperconsistent information is thought to strengthen the stereotype of both groups. We demonstrated this phenomenon in warmth- and competence-related aspects of stereotypes (Study 1) and gender stereotypes (Study 2), newly formed stereotypes (Study 1) and real-life stereotypes (Study 2), and taking the form of stereotype reduction under the influence of stereotype-inconsistent information (Studies 1 and 2) or of stereotype enhancement under the influence of stereotype-hyper-congruent information (Study 2). Indirect stereotype change implies that stereotypes may sometimes be remarkably vulnerable to change.

Language: en

Keywords

Stereotypes; Warmth; Change