Training Makes a Difference for Defeating Stereotypes

Sep 6, 2015

Training Makes a Difference for Defeating Stereotypes

People demonstrate reduced stereotype activation when they’ve received training. The results from the training task provide further evidence for the impact of practice on participants’ proficiency in negating stereotypes. This is according to a recent study by Kawakami, Davidio, Moll and Hermsen. An article, “Just say no (to stereotyping): effects of training in the negation of stereotypic associations on stereotype activation” had as its primary aim to examine the effect of training in negating stereotype associations on stereotype activation. Across 3 studies, participants received practice in negating stereotypes related to skinhead and racial categories.

The subsequent automatic activation of stereotypes was measured using either a primed Stroop task (Studies I and 2) or a person categorization task (Study 3). The results demonstrate that when receiving no training or training in a non-target category stereotype, participants exhibited spontaneous stereotype activation. After receiving an extensive amount of training related to a specific category, however, participants demonstrated reduced stereotype activation. The results from the training task provide further evidence for the impact of practice on participants’ proficiency in negating stereotypes.

Although this study didn’t use the Ouch! program, certainly this is substantiates the U of Cincinnati study and years of anecdotal evidence that supports the use of our own program, Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts.

More From Our Blog…

DEI LEAP: Empowering Leaders Through Turbulent Times

DEI LEAP: Empowering Leaders Through Turbulent Times

DEI LEAP: Empowering Leaders Through Turbulent Times As we all know, 2024 has brought a wave of attacks against DEI. A handful of outspoken critics, such as Elon Musk, are misrepresenting DEI and attacking the strategies and practices that are creating more equitable...

read more
The Colorblindness Trap

The Colorblindness Trap

Read. This. Article. It's important. The Color Blindness Trap: How a civil rights ideal got hijacked Nikole Hannah-Jones is a domestic correspondent for The New York Times Magazine focusing on racial injustice. Her extensive reporting in both print and radio has...

read more
“Laying Low” Is the Wrong DEI Strategy

“Laying Low” Is the Wrong DEI Strategy

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”- Martin Luther King, Jr. In an era marred by politicized attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), Shaun...

read more
Painful Stories: Unconscious Bias in Health Care

Painful Stories: Unconscious Bias in Health Care

Many Black women express a sense of being ignored or dismissed by healthcare professionals. The repercussions of such experiences can be life-threatening for both mothers and babies. The New York Times has published a new article that takes a closer look at this...

read more
Navigating Thanksgiving – Speak Up or Stay Silent?

Navigating Thanksgiving – Speak Up or Stay Silent?

Tis the day before Thanksgiving and all through the land, people are anxious. Amidst the joy of the holiday—cherishing togetherness, celebrating with family and friends, and expressing gratitude— there's a potential for discomfort as opinions are shared and points of...

read more