STEREOTYPE THREAT AND STEREOTYPE LIFT: THE CASE OF 10 YEAR OLD GIRLS AND BOYS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of stereotypical and counter-stereotypical information on the self-esteem and cognitive performance of 10-year-old children. Our sample consisted of 37 girls and 37 boys. Children were presented with 10 “mathematical” puzzles in three experimental conditions: stereotypical (boys are better), counter-stereotypical (girls are better), and the control condition (no particular information). Self-esteem was measured using a non-verbal task. The results showed a significant interaction effect of “condition x sex” on self-esteem and performance. Girls revealed no significant differences between control and experimental conditions, while boys showed a significant drop in self-esteem and performance in the counter-stereotypical condition as compared to the control condition and a significant lift in self-esteem and performance in the stereotypical condition as compared to the control condition.

Keywords

• stereotype threat
• stereotype lift
• schoolchildren
• self-esteem