Using SAT-Grade and Ability-Job Performance Relationships to Test Predictions Derived From Stereotype Threat Theory

• Published in: Journal of applied psychology Vol. 89; no. 2; pp. 220 - 230
• Main Authors: Cullen, Michael J, Hardison, Chaitra M, Sackett, Paul R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Psychological Association 01.04.2004
• Subjects: Ability; Academic achievement; Achievement; African Americans - psychology; Aptitude Tests; Armed forces; Biological and medical sciences; Cognition; College Entrance Examination Board Scholastic Aptitude Test; Education; Effects; Employment - psychology; Entrance examinations; European Continental Ancestry Group - psychology; Examinations; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender; Generalizability; Human; Human Females; Humans; Job Performance; Male; Minority Groups; Multivariate Analysis; Occupational psychology; Predictive Value of Tests; Psychological Theory; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Race; Racial and Ethnic Differences; Regression Analysis; Stereotype Threat Theory; Stereotyped Attitudes; Stereotypes; Stereotyping; Students - psychology; Studies; Test Scores; Threat; United States; Vocational Evaluation; Women; Women - psychology; Work condition. Job performance. Stress; United States; Human; Minority; Sex; Stereotype threat; Stereotype; Vocational aptitude; Performance
• ISSN: 0021-9010; 1939-1854
• DOI: 10.1037/0021-9010.89.2.220

To examine the generalizability of stereotype threat theory findings from laboratory to applied settings, the authors developed models of the pattern of relationships between cognitive test scores and outcome criteria that would be expected if the test scores of women and minority group members were affected by stereotype threat. Two large data sets were used to test these models, one in an education setting examining SAT-grade relationships by race and gender and the other in a military job setting examining Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-job performance relationships by race. Findings were not supportive of the predictions arising from stereotype threat theory, suggesting caution in positing threat as a key determinant of subgroup mean test score differences in applied settings.