Towards the measurement of stereotype threat: scale development and validation

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of the study is to develop a valid measure of stereotype threat. Design/methodology/approach A convenience sample of 2,900 respondents from different occupational sectors, including managers, engineers and health-care professionals, was used for the present study. The data were collected from various government and private organizations in North India. The questionnaire survey was administered in three phases. During the first phase, 800 questionnaires were circulated, followed by 1,200 questionnaires in the second phase, and the third phase involves 900 questionnaires. The data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Findings The results indicate nine dimensions, namely, occupational identification, occupational stigma consciousness, gender identification, gender stigma consciousness, religion identification, religion stigma consciousness, caste identification, caste stigma consciousness and negative effect of stereotype threat. The study ensures the reliability and validity of the stereotype threat scale. The measure also fulfils the assumptions of nomological validity. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first of its kind to develop and validate the stereotype threat scale adhering to scale development procedures.