Shedding light in the black box of stereotype threat: The role of emotion

In this study, stereotype threat, a situational phenomenon that impairs the performance on ability or achievement tasks of members of stereotyped groups, is explored. To further our understanding of the phenomenon, an experimental manipulation of stereotype threat in students at an All-women College or University (AWCU) and at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) was employed for the purpose of isolating the specific emotional structure and dynamics of the stereotype threat phenomenon. The paper begins with reviews of two frameworks that inform the current research: the literature on stereotype threat and the other on appraisal theories of emotion and emotion intensity. It was anticipated that a focus on emotions might reveal the hidden processes inside the “black box” of stereotype threat. The study did not find significant results and hence did not shed light on the black box of stereotype threat. However, posthoc analyses suggested a causal model; stereotype threat causes changes in several affective dimensions, including sense of “power” (i.e., an emotion appraisal), irritation, dislike, and interest, which, in turn, cause impairment in performance. Future research should explore further this and other causal models that integrate stereotype threat theory and theories of emotion.