Educators view people: Ethnic group stereotyping

Abstract

Two hundred fifty-eight educators, 178 female and 80 male designated the words on the Gough Adjective Check List as being stereotypically associated with minority group members, dominant group members, or both. Adjectives on which 70 percent of all male and all female educators agreed were designated by society to either minority (N = 93) or dominant (N = 124) categories were used in eight of the ACL scales. Educators saw society as labeling dominant group members as significantly better adjusted, more achievement-oriented, more intraceptive and having more favorable characteristics than minority group members. Minority group members were seen as being viewed as significantly more aggressive than dominant group members. No significant differences were noted in the way society viewed the two groups regarding autonomous and deferent behavior. The results are discussed in terms of changes in stereotypes over the past fifty years and in terms of the effect of stereotyping on childrens' performance in school.