Question

Vivian is taking a college admissions test in math to see if she can enroll in an accelerated math course. She has heard that males tend to perform better on this test than females, although she has no evidence that this statement is true. The proctor giving the test also might be concerned that Vivian is thinking that males might do better on this test as she has heard other students make such a comment. In order to reduce any stereotype threat that Vivian might be feeling, the proctor could make the following comment:

"Try your hardest. That is all you can do."

"You may have heard that males tend to do better on this test, but I don't think that is true."

"You might not do as well as you would like, but all you can do is what your potential allows."

"All students show similar performance on this test."
"All students show similar performance on this test."

Answer 1

B

Step-by-step explanation:

A stereotype threat happens in situation where people feel at risk to conform to a particular type of existing stereotype.

The proctor should acknowledge the fact that such stereotype about the math test exists, there is no point in denying it, as Vivian and other students heard about it before. So by stating that 'she has heard that males tend to do better on this test', he confirms the stereotype and doesn't dismiss it as untrue. At the same time, he reassures Vivian that he doesn't think the stereotype is true. This is the best approach as it shows both: admitting the fact that males can do better on the test and giving the female student some degree of safety at the same time.