Applying Recommendations from the Literature on Stereotype Threat: Two Field Studies

• Published in: Journal of business and psychology Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 493 - 504
• Main Authors: Gillespie, Jennifer Z., Converse, Patrick D., Kriska, S. David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer Science + Business Media, Inc 01.09.2010; Springer US; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ability tests; African American studies; African Americans; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Business and Management; Cognitive ability; College students; Community and Environmental Psychology; Employment; Fire fighting; Hiring; Human performance; Human performance technology; Industrial and Organizational Psychology; Laboratories; Occupational psychology; Personality and Social Psychology; Personnel selection; Preemployment screening; Psychology; Race; Racial identity; Recommendations; SAT assessment; Social identity; Social Sciences; Stereotypes; Studies; Test scores; White American culture; United States > US; Subgroup differences; Social identity; Race; Stereotype threat; Employment testing
• ISSN: 0889-3268; 1573-353X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10869-010-9178-1

Purpose The objective of these two studies was to apply recommendations from the literature on stereotype threat to reduce the magnitude of subgroup differences in an employment context. Design/Methodology/Approach With a sample of prospective applicants for the job of firefighter, the effects of "reduced-threat" preparation sessions about the test (Study 1) and about the job (Study 2) were examined, relative to conventional counterparts. Findings In Study 1, there was no evidence to suggest that the reduced-threat test-related session was more effective than its conventional counterpart. In Study 2, the magnitude of subgroup differences was larger for those in the reduced-threat job-related session. Implications No evidence was found to suggest that standard personnel practice exacerbates existing subgroup differences, as compared to efforts to apply the recommendations from the literature on stereotype threat. Originality/Value This is one of the few investigations to study test-and job-related stereotype threat in an employment context. Additionally, this investigation is unique in that it compares conventional practices to those derived from the literature on stereotype threat.