Abstract
This investigation extends stereotype threat research by examining its effect on sex and ethnicity in employment testing. Study 1 used archival data from a company-specific cognitive ability test, demonstrating score increases (greater for some minorities) when applicants completed demographic items after a cognitive skills test, rather than before the test. The first experiment (Study 2) used college students taking the same company-specific test with inconclusive results. Possible reasons dictated the design of a second experiment with a college population (Study 3). This study used the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT) and investigated priming through positioning of demographic items, as well as high/low threat. Positioning of the demographic items after the WPT was associated with an increase in test scores.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 359-388 |
| Number of pages | 30 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Social Psychology |
| Volume | 39 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Feb 2009 |
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An investigation of stereotype threat in employment tests. / Kirnan, Jean Powell; Alfieri, Julie Ann; Bragger, Jennifer; Harris, Robert Sean.
In: Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 39, No. 2, 01.02.2009, p. 359-388.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - An investigation of stereotype threat in employment tests
AU - Kirnan, Jean Powell
AU - Alfieri, Julie Ann
AU - Bragger, Jennifer
AU - Harris, Robert Sean
PY - 2009/2/1
Y1 - 2009/2/1
N2 - This investigation extends stereotype threat research by examining its effect on sex and ethnicity in employment testing. Study 1 used archival data from a company-specific cognitive ability test, demonstrating score increases (greater for some minorities) when applicants completed demographic items after a cognitive skills test, rather than before the test. The first experiment (Study 2) used college students taking the same company-specific test with inconclusive results. Possible reasons dictated the design of a second experiment with a college population (Study 3). This study used the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT) and investigated priming through positioning of demographic items, as well as high/low threat. Positioning of the demographic items after the WPT was associated with an increase in test scores.
AB - This investigation extends stereotype threat research by examining its effect on sex and ethnicity in employment testing. Study 1 used archival data from a company-specific cognitive ability test, demonstrating score increases (greater for some minorities) when applicants completed demographic items after a cognitive skills test, rather than before the test. The first experiment (Study 2) used college students taking the same company-specific test with inconclusive results. Possible reasons dictated the design of a second experiment with a college population (Study 3). This study used the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT) and investigated priming through positioning of demographic items, as well as high/low threat. Positioning of the demographic items after the WPT was associated with an increase in test scores.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=60049085136&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00442.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00442.x
M3 - Article
VL - 39
SP - 359
EP - 388
JO - Journal of Applied Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Applied Social Psychology
SN - 0021-9029
IS - 2
ER -