Social Psychology Quarterly
Volume 70, Issue 4, 2007, Pages 384-404

Becoming American: Stereotype threat effects in afro-caribbean immigrant groups (Article)

Deaux K.* , Bikmen N. , Gilkes A. , Ventuneac A. , Joseph Y. , Payne Y.A. , Steele C.M.
  • a Graduate Center, City University of New York, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • b Denison University
  • c Medgar Evers College, City University of New York
  • d Graduate Center, City University of New York
  • e Graduate Center, City University of New York
  • f University of Delaware
  • g Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Educational and occupational data suggest that second-generation West Indian immigrants have less favorable outcomes than their first-generation counterparts, who are typically shown to outperform comparison groups of African Americans. In two studies, we explore the social psychological process of stereotype threat as it differentially affects the performance of first- and second-generation West Indian students. An initial questionnaire study of 270 West Indian students provided data on perceived favorability of African American and West Indian stereotypes, ethnic identification, and perceptions of discrimination. An experimental study of stereotype threat showed a significant interaction between generation and stereotype threat condition: first- and second- generation West Indian students performed equally in neutral conditions, but differed significantly when stereotype threat was present. While first-generation students increased their performance in the threat condition, second-generation students showed the performance decrements characteristic of African American students. Effects due to the race of the experimenter were also found, suggesting the importance of context in testing situations. Overall, the findings argue for the relevance of psychological processes in understanding broader demographic patterns of immigration and change.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-38949143946&doi=10.1177%2f019027250707000408&partnerID=40&md5=09b26564bd3fed3714f60aefe3b03106
DOI: 10.1177/019027250707000408
ISSN: 01902725
Cited by: 78
Original Language: English