How Stereotypes Shape Intellectual Identity and Performance

A Threat in the Air How Stereotypes Shape Intellectual Identity and Performance Claude M. Steele stanford University A general theory of domain identification is used to de- 1965) words, as "first of all beings in a situation" such scribe achievement barriers still faced by women in ad- that if one wants to understand them, one "must inquire vanced quantitative areas and by African Americans in first into the situation surrounding [them]" (p. 60). school. The theory assumes that sustained school success The theory begins with an assumption: that to sus- requires identification with school and its subdomains; tain school success one must be identified with school that societal pressures on these groups ( , economic achievement in the sense of its being a part of one's disadvantage, gender roles) can frustrate this identifica- self-definition, a personal Identity to which one is self- tion; and that in school domains where these groups are evaluatively accountable. This accountability--that good negatively stereotyped, those who have become domain self-feelings depend in some part on good achievement-- identified face the further barrier of stereotype threat, translates into sustained achievement motivation.

A Threat in the Air How Stereotypes Shape Intellectual Identity and Performance Claude M. Steele Stanford University A general theory of domain identification is used to de-

Tags:

  Stanford

Information

Related search queries