The effect of changes in group boundary permeability on the stereotype threat or lift effect.

Abstract

Stereotype Threat and Lift have been well established in demonstrating the effects that stereotypes have on task performance outcomes. However, these phenomena inadequately explain why not all in group members succumb to threat and lift effects alike. It also fails to account for additional social identities which may influence the stereotype-performance relationship. It is anticipated that Social Identity Theory's tenets of in group identification and group boundary permeability may have a great deal to offer in explaining stereotype effects. It is predicted that the stereotypes invoked would interact with perceptions of boundary permeability to bring about differential group identification patterns, which would influence stereotype threat and lift effects on task performance. Therefore, the research study at hand aims to apply Social Identity Theory to Stereotype Threat and Lift. The research question was operationalised by means of a factorial experimental design in which perceptions of group boundary permeability were manipulated and group stereotypes were invoked to manipulate group status. Thereafter, performance outcomes were noted. The findings indicate that group boundary permeability and group status influenced in group identification but not performance outcomes. Race played a large and unforeseen role in explaining many of the present findings. The results suggest strong reversals in expected performance outcomes, which could largely be explained by the effects of racial factors within the South African context, highlighting the importance of accounting for extra-experimental identities in stereotyped situations. Of key significance is that participants often responded strategically to stereotypes by engaging with extra-experimental identities and identity resources most likely to enhance performance outcomes.