The Threat of Stereotype

Author: Aronson, J.
Publisher: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Publication Date: 2004, November
Journal Volume: 62(3)
Full text available online at: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/nov04/vol62/num03/The_Threat_of_Stereotype.aspx

Abstract (written by WestEd)

In this article, the author argues that stereotype threat, an invisible factor, negatively impacts the performance of affected students, ranging from African American males to girls in math-oriented domains. It may account for some of the achievement gap.

Stereotype threat occurs when others have negative expectations of the student's performance based on some external stereotype. The student then has to overcome the inherent negative threat, thereby facing two potential failures — actually performing poorly and the perception of performing poorly because of the stereotype. Research by the author and a colleague demonstrates that due to this additional stress and pressure, the student does more poorly precisely because he or she tries too hard in a situation in which a more relaxed concentration leads to success, particularly in high-stakes evaluations.

Because stereotype threat is partly situational, the author believes that students can be taught to overcome it and that teachers and others can learn to avoid it.

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Heather Mattson Almanzan of WestEd's School Comprehensive Assistance Program comments, "This clear and well-written article helps explain one of the many causes for the racial achievement gap and provides recommendations for educators."