Question

Research into stereotype threat indicates that performance on a test may go down if:

a) you suggest to the test-takers that people like them typically struggle on this type of test
b) you ask for names before the test starts
c) the people administering are men and women from different racial/ethnic backgrounds
d) the people writing the test are culturally/racially sensitive

Answer 1

Performance may decrease under stereotype threat if test-takers are told their group often struggles with similar tests. Such suggestion increases anxiety and confirms negative stereotypes, leading to poorer outcomes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Research into stereotype threat suggests that a person's performance on a test can be negatively affected by the awareness of stereotypes. Studies have shown that when individuals are made aware of stereotypes, particularly those that suggest certain groups will perform poorly on specific tasks, it can result in increased anxiety and lower performance. This phenomenon is linked to a variety of factors, including the anticipation of judgment or the fear of confirming negative stereotypes.

Stereotype threat has been most commonly studied in relation to academic testing and performance, but it also extends to other areas such as employment. For example, if job interviewers harbor stereotypical beliefs about a potential candidate, it can lead to negative interpretations of the candidate's performance, thus further reinforcing the stereotype and hindering the candidate's prospects. Additionally, in educational settings, evidence suggests that standardized tests, like IQ tests, can be biased, often reflecting the cultural knowledge of certain groups, thus maintaining power structures in society.

In response to the options provided in the question:

1. Suggesting that people from certain groups typically struggle on tests can induce stereotype threat.
2. Asking for names before a test may not necessarily induce stereotype threat unless the names themselves evoke stereotypes.
3. The racial/ethnic background of the test administrators, by itself, may not induce stereotype threat, unless other cues or behaviors reinforce stereotypes.
4. If the people writing the test are culturally/racially sensitive, this might serve to reduce stereotype threat.

As such, the option that directly aligns with inducing stereotype threat is a).

Stereotype threat occurs when an individual is at risk of confirming negative stereotypes about their social group, affecting performance. Suggesting that similar individuals typically struggle on tests can lead to such a detrimental effect.