The Malleability of Automatic Stereotypes and Prejudice

TLDR

The article reviews evidence that automatic stereotypes and prejudice are malleable. The authors review this evidence and propose an initial model of early social information processing. The review shows that automatic stereotypes and prejudice are influenced by self‑ and social motives, specific strategies, attention focus, stimulus configuration, and individual characteristics, underscoring their malleability and implications for models of stereotyping.

Abstract

The present article reviews evidence for the malleability of automatic stereotypes and prejudice. In contrast to assumptions that such responses are fixed and inescapable, it is shown that automatic stereotypes and prejudice are influenced by, (a) self- and social motives, (b) specific strategies, (c) the perceiver's focus of attention, and (d) the configuration of stimulus cues. In addition, group members' individual characteristics are shown to influence the extent to which (global) stereotypes and prejudice are automatically activated. This evidence has significant implications for conceptions of automaticity, models of stereotyping and prejudice, and attitude representation. The review concludes with the description of an initial model of early social information processing.