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Math 3-6 > Factors > Stereotype Threat

Stereotype Threat

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In our society, there are many stereotypes that exist about the academic abilities of learners based on characteristics such as their race, gender, disability, and socioeconomic status. Stereotype Threat suggests that people may underperform in many academic areas, including math, when faced with this prospect of being judged.

Main Ideas

Stereotype Threat occurs when a negative stereotype that exists in a culture about a group results in suboptimal academic performance by people who identify with that group. This occurs when the individual is aware of the stereotype, even if they do not personally experience prejudiced behavior toward them by teachers or peers. Students are more likely to experience this negative effect on their test performance when they are told the test is diagnostic of their intellectual abilities. Even individuals who do not believe the stereotype is true about their group will often still experience the negative effects of Stereotype Threat.

People, including educators, can hold two types of stereotypes:

  • People may be unaware of their implicit stereotypes, but these beliefs can still impact their behaviors towards and interpretations of others in an unconscious manner.
  • People are aware of their explicit stereotypes, which can also impact their behaviors towards and interpretations of others.

In the United States, Stereotype Threat can impact math performance for multiple groups:

  • Girls are at risk of Stereotype Threat because of the general belief that boys are better at math.
  • Certain groups, such as Latino/Latina and Black students, are at risk of negative stereotypes of mathematical ability.
  • Students who have learning disabilities are at risk for being stigmatized.
  • There is also a stereotype that Asian Americans are better at math than their peers.
  • Negative stereotypes will impact math skills in students who most highly value achievement in the math domain.

Students' awareness of stereotypes about different groups increases with age, and students who are from groups that are subject to negative academic stereotypes are even more aware of those stereotypes than students from non-stereotyped groups.

Learn More

  • Stereotype Threat: Free CE-credit webinar discussing research-based strategies to support students facing Stereotype Threats

View Measures and References