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Abstract
Are stereotypes accurate or inaccurate? We summarize evidence that stereotype accuracy is one of the largest and most replicable findings in social psychology. We address controversies in this literature, including the long-standing and continuing but unjustified emphasis on stereotype inaccuracy, how to define and assess stereotype accuracy, and whether stereotypic (vs. individuating) information can be used rationally in person perception. We conclude with suggestions for building theory and for future directions of stereotype (in)accuracy research.
Keywords stereotypes, social perception, person perception, accuracy, bias
Recommended Reading
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Brodt, S. E., Ross, L. D. (1998). (See References). A field study that showed that college students’ predictions about individual dorm residents were more accurate when they relied on, rather than ignored, stereotypes relevant to those dorm residents. Google Scholar | |
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Crawford, J. T., Jussim, L., Madon, S., Cain, T.R., Stevens, S. T. (2011). (See References). Provides empirical evidence that diagnosticity was the primary factor determining whether people relied on stereotypes, individuating information, or both (i.e., that people relied on stereotypes and/or individuating information in an approximately rational manner) in political person-perception judgments. Google Scholar | |
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Jussim, L. (2012). (See References). An accessibly written book that reviews experimental and survey data regarding stereotype accuracy and biases in social perception, showing that stereotypes are often accurate and that the biases in social perception they produce are generally weak. Google Scholar | |
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Jussim, L., Cain, T., Crawford, J., Harber, K., Cohen, F. (2009). The unbearable accuracy of stereotypes. In Nelson, T. (Ed.), Handbook of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination (pp. 199–227). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. A chapter that provides a logically coherent definition of “stereotype,” reviews conceptual issues and empirical evidence regarding the accuracy of stereotypes, and considers the role of stereotypes in increasing or reducing accuracy in person perception. Google Scholar | |
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Ryan, C. S. (2002). (See References). A paper that reviews methodological issues and empirical findings in the domain of stereotype accuracy, arguing that stereotypes can be accurate and useful despite their potential negative consequences. Google Scholar |
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