Stereotype Content Model Explains Prejudice for an Envied Outgroup: Scale of Anti-Asian American Stereotypes

TLDR

The Stereotype Content Model posits that anti‑Asian American stereotypes arise from excessive competence and deficient sociability, producing a mixed, envious prejudice distinct from the more common contemptuous biases toward other racial groups. The authors developed a 25‑item Scale of Anti‑Asian American Stereotypes (SAAAS) through iterative studies, beginning with 131 attitude items, refining it with 684 respondents, and validating it with 222 participants across three campuses to predict friendships, cultural experiences, and campus presence. Across six studies, the SAAAS revealed a mixed, envious prejudice toward Asian Americans, with low sociability—not high competence—identified as the primary driver of rejection, aligning with system‑justification theory.

Abstract

The Stereotype Content Model hypothesizes anti-Asian American stereotypes differentiating two dimensions: (excessive) competence and (deficient) sociability. The Scale of Anti-Asian American Stereotypes (SAAAS) shows this envious mixed prejudice in six studies. Study 1 began with 131 racial attitude items. Studies 2 and 3 tested 684 respondents on a focused 25-item version. Studies 4 and 5 tested the final 25-item SAAAS on 222 respondents at three campuses; scores predicted outgroup friendships, cultural experiences, and (over)estimated campus presence. Study 6 showed that allegedly low sociability, rather than excessively high competence, drives rejection of Asian Americans, consistent with system justification theory. The SAAAS demonstrates mixed, envious anti-Asian American prejudice, contrasting with more-often-studied contemptuous racial prejudices (i.e., against Blacks).