AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -(Steele, 1999) When activated, stereotype threat causes students to perform worse on assignments than they might otherwise. This reaction is neurobiological in nature-the perceived threat stimulates cortisol production in the brain having the effect of reducing the available working memory for completing tasks.

Detailed explanation-2: -People often classify themselves as belonging to groups such as a student group. This is an example of the stereotype threat.

Detailed explanation-3: -Stereotype threat leads to diminished performance on cognitive (e.g. math, problem-solving, chess), physical (athletics) and/or interpersonal (negotiating, social) tasks. For example, when female chess players believed they were playing against a male chess player, they performed worse than male chess players.

Detailed explanation-4: -Stereotype threat refers to being at risk of confirming, as self-characteristic, a negative stereotype about one’s group (Steele & Aronson, 1995).