A Study of Stereotyping: Testing Three Models With a Sample of Blacks

Abstract

Two experiments tested the premise that the underlying stereotyping processes used by Blacks and Whites are similar Experiment I examined the hypothesis that people have more complex views of members of their own in-group than of an out-group. Results showed that Blacks held more complex views of Blacks than of Whites. Experiment 2 examined the hypotheses underlying complexity-extremity theory, assumed-characteristics theory, and expectancy-violation theory. Black perceivers evaluated target job applicants who varied with respect to race, dialect style, and personal appearance. Contrary to the complexity-extremity model, Black judges evaluated Black targets more extremely than White targets. Somewhat consistent with assumed-characteristics theory, Blacks used background information more than race in their evaluations. Partial support for expectancy-violation theory wasfound. Blackjudges evaluated upper class Black and White targets differently than they evaluated lower class targets. These findings suggest that race of perceiver may moderate the predictions of these three models. Modification of stereotyping models by including less powerful or stigmatized in-groups in basic research is discussed.