A self-fulfilling prophecy

"Stereotype threat" refers to the idea that negative stereotypes can be self-fulfilling, with individuals' performance suffering as a result. In a new article, researchers from the University of Kent in the UK have explored the role that stereotype threat plays in boys' academic performance, and found a correlation. The research comprised three studies. Study 1 (children aged 4-10, n = 238) showed that girls from age 4 and boys from age 7 believed, and thought adults believed, that boys are academically inferior to girls. Study 2 manipulated stereotype threat, informing children aged 7-8 years (n = 162) that boys tend to do worse than girls at school. This manipulation hindered boys' performance on a reading, writing, and math test, but did not affect girls' performance. Study 3 counteracted stereotype threat, informing children aged 6-9 years (n = 184) that boys and girls were expected to perform similarly. This improved the performance of boys and did not affect that of girls.

Johns Hopkins University

School of Education

Center for Research and Reform in Education

Research in Brief