Stigma Consciousness in Intergroup Contexts: The Power of Conviction

Abstract

People vary in the extent to which they expect to be stereotyped, and these differences in “stigma consciousness” have cognitive and behavioral consequences that contribute to people's experience of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination (20). Here it is argued that high levels of stigma consciousness also have significant interpersonal consequences. Consistent with this claim, female participants who were high in stigma consciousness acted critically toward male participants whom they believed to be sexist. Moreover, these critical behaviors elicited unfavorable responses from the male participants, responses which then provided fodder for the women's belief that they would not like the men. The results are discussed in light of previous work on the target's perspective on stereotyping and call into question the wisdom of adopting a vigilant stance when interacting with out-group members.