A Stereotype Boost or Choking Under Pressure? Positive Gender Stereotypes and Men Who Are Low in Domain Identification

Abstract

In 3 studies, we examined the effect of a positive gender stereotype (e.g., men are superior to women in math and computer science) on performance and motivation as a function of domain identification, with a special emphasis on men low in domain identification. Drawing from past research on stereotype boost and choking under pressure, we predicted that for men low in domain identification, performance would ironically suffer in the positive stereotype condition compared to a nullified stereotype condition. In all 3 studies, we found that men lower in domain identification performed better in nullified stereotype conditions and poorly in gender- stereotypical conditions. Results suggest that the interaction between the expectancies conveyed by a stereotype and the value placed on a domain by an individual may influence performance and motivation regardless of stereotype valence.