The Bidirectional Causal Relation Between Implicit Stereotypes and Implicit Prejudice
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2020
Abstract
Although stereotypes and prejudice are commonly regarded as conceptually distinct but related constructs, previous research remains silent on the processes underlying their relation. Applying the balance-congruity principle to the concepts (a) group, (b) valence, and (c) attribute, we argue that the valence of attributes contained in a group-stereotype shapes evaluations of the group, while prejudice toward a group influences which attributes are stereotypically associated with the group. Using fictitious (Experiments 1 and 3) and real (Experiments 2 and 4) groups, the current studies demonstrate that (a) experimentally induced changes in the valence of semantic attributes associated with a group (stereotypes) influence implicit prejudice toward that group (Experiments 1 and 2), and (b) experimentally induced changes in the valence of a group (prejudice) influence implicit stereotyping of that group (Experiments 3 and 4). These findings demonstrate a bidirectional causal relation between prejudice and stereotypes.
Publication Title
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Volume
46
Issue
9
First Page
1318
Last Page
1330
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1177/0146167219899234
PubMed ID
32013752
ISSN
01461672
E-ISSN
15527433
Citation Information
Phills, C. E., Hahn, A., & Gawronski, B. (2020). The Bidirectional Causal Relation Between Implicit Stereotypes and Implicit Prejudice. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(9), 1318–1330. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167219899234