Stereotype threat

This entry provides an introduction to the term stereotype threat, the conditions and effects of stereotype threat as a psychological phenomenon, some of its research applications as well as critiques and future directions for research. The entry also discusses the relationship between media and stereotype as it pertains to stereotype threat, the methodologies used to research stereotype threat and their implications for media literacy in terms of understanding the effects of media on identity, achievement, and self‐esteem. Stereotype threat refers to the risk that an individual will self‐confirm a negative stereotype about their social identity, causing diminished performance in a particular domain or area of achievement. The term is widely credited for providing an explanation for uneven performance between social groups of otherwise equal capability. Stereotype threat research draws attention to the role of stereotype and social perception in harming the performance capacities of individuals within identified social groupings.