The influence (or Lack Thereof) of Stereotypes on Spontaneous Trait Inferences

Jessica R Bray, University of Texas at El Paso

Abstract

Research has shown that people spontaneously make trait inferences from observing others perform behaviors. The present research presents two experiments that examined the influence of stereotypes on spontaneous trait inferences. Experiment 1 utilized the recognition probe paradigm, a traditional method of assessing spontaneous trait inferences. Experiment 2 controlled for potential biases (e.g. priming effects and linguistic properties) by modifying the recognition probe paradigm. Results showed support for spontaneous trait inferences only with the traditional recognition probe paradigm. Stereotypes only influenced the accuracy of spontaneous trait inferences with the traditional recognition probe paradigm. The current results suggest that the traditional recognition probe paradigm does not account for priming effect nor linguistic properties that influence the detection of spontaneous trait inferences.

Subject Area

Psychology|Social psychology|Behavioral psychology

Recommended Citation

Bray, Jessica R, "The influence (or Lack Thereof) of Stereotypes on Spontaneous Trait Inferences" (2019). ETD Collection for University of Texas, El Paso. AAI27671470.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/dissertations/AAI27671470

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