Stereotype threat: the moderating role of locus of control beliefs
Abstract
The goal of the present study was to test the moderating role of Locus of Control beliefs on performance deficits typically associated with stereotype threat. The results from Experiment 1 were consistent with predictions. First, consistent with the Stereotype Threat model, participants showed a decrease in performance when the task was perceived as a potential test of the in-group's negative stereotype (lacking logical mathematical intelligence in the case of women and lacking social intelligence in the case of men). Most important, participants' Locus of Control beliefs were found to moderate participants' vulnerability to stereotype threat: individuals with an Internal Locus of Control, although generally performing better, showed a sharper decrease in the stereotype threat condition compared to individuals with External Locus of Control beliefs. Experiment 2 replicated the results from Experiment 1. Findings are discussed in relation to the psychological characteristics of Internal Locus of Control that may render individuals more vulnerable to the negative effects of stereotype threat. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Stereotype threat effects are most pronounced in those for whom performance in the domain is highly important and self-relevant.
“Other research shows that stereotype threat effects are most pronounced in those for whom performance in the domain is highly important and self-relevant (Aronson, et al., 1998;Cadinu, Maass, Frigerio, Impagliazzo, & Latinotti, 2003;Cadinu, Maass, Lombardo, & Frigerio 2006).”
From Managing to clear the air: Stereotype threat, women, and leadership (2016) · cites this paper as Cadinu, Maass, Lombardo, & Frigerio 2006
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Managing to clear the air: Stereotype threat, women, and leadership
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- Authors
- Cadinu, M., Maass, A., Lombardo, M., & Frigerio, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Padua (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Cadinu, Mara
- Venue
- European Journal of Social Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 183-197
- ISSN
- 0046-2772 (ISSN-L)
- 1099-0992
- OpenAlex
- W1998144649
- Cited by
- 74
- References
- 33
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 12.78
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Career Development and Diversity
- Keywords
- stereotype threat, locus of control, internal locus of control, external locus of control, performance deficits, gender stereotypes, mathematical ability, social intelligence, moderating effect
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