Directed attention and stereotype threat in interracial interactions

This research combines stereotype threat theory and attention restoration theory in an attempt to develop an intervention for stereotype threat. Applying stereotype threat to interracial communication provides a framework for understanding how Whites may have a more difficult time communicating about a race-related topic than another topic. Attention restoration theory contributes a potential intervention through the possibility of increasing cognitive resources available to threatened individuals in both a traditional stereotype threat paradigm and in an interracial communication paradigm. Study 1 tested the hypothesis that Whites may experience stereotype threat in interracial communication when discussing a race-related topic, and that this stereotype threat diminishes both speaking ability and recall of a partner's statement. Results supported this hypothesis, with participants exhibiting a higher rate of speech disfluencies and recalling fewer details of the partner's statements when the topic was race-related. Study 2 tested the hypothesis that restoring capacity for directed attention improves performance for women taking a math test under stereotype threat. Results did not support this hypothesis; the intervention did not improve participants' performance under stereotype threat, although it did have a positive impact on performance for those who were not under stereotype threat and for whom math performance was important. Lastly, Study 3 tested the hypothesis that increasing capacity for directed attention improves communication for Whites discussing a race-related topic. Results did not support this hypothesis, as the directed attention manipulation did not appear to have any effect on communication performance. The topic manipulation replicated the recall effects demonstrated in Study 1 but not the speech disfluency effects. The role of regulatory strategies in determining the effectiveness of manipulating directed attention is also discussed.