Can counter-stereotypes boost flexible thinking?

Goclowska, Malgorzata A.; Crisp, Richard J.; Labuschagne, Kirsty

Abstract

To reduce prejudice psychologists design interventions requiring people to think of counter-stereotypes (i.e., people who defy stereotypic expectations—a strong woman, a Black President). Grounded in the idea that stereotypes constrain the ability to think flexibly, we propose that thinking of counter-stereotypes can have benefits that extend beyond the goal of prejudice reduction—in particular to tasks measuring cognitive flexibility and creative performance. Findings supported this conjecture. In Experiment 1 priming a gender counter-stereotype enhanced cognitive flexibility. This effect could not be attributed to changes in mood. In Experiment 2, using a gender-independent manipulation, priming various social counter-stereotypes brought a boost to creative performance. We discuss implications of these extended benefits of counter-stereotypic thinking for developing future prejudice-reduction interventions.

Citation

Goclowska, M. A., Crisp, R. J., & Labuschagne, K. (2013). Can counter-stereotypes boost flexible thinking?. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 16(2), 217-231. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430212445076

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 14, 2012
• Online Publication Date: May 7, 2012
• Publication Date: 2013-03
• Deposit Date: Aug 23, 2017
• Journal: Group Processes and Intergroup Relations
• Print ISSN: 1368-4302
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7188
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 217-231
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430212445076
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1351310