Coping with stereotype threat: denial as an impression management strategy

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Stereotype Threat Research
• Impression Management Studies

Background:

• Stereotype threat can negatively impact performance and self-perception.
• Impression management, the desire to control how one is perceived, may influence responses to stereotype threat.
• Denial is a psychological defense mechanism that can be employed in stressful situations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether individuals high in impression management use denial to cope with stereotype threat.
• To examine this coping mechanism across different demographic groups and stereotype contexts.

Main Methods:

• Four experiments were conducted involving temporary employees, older adults, African Americans, and White students.
• Participants completed measures of impression management and were exposed to stereotype threat conditions.
• Behavioral and self-report measures assessed denial of incompetence or the importance of intelligence.

Main Results:

• Individuals high in impression management were more likely to deny incompetence when facing stereotype threat (Studies 1-3).
• This pattern was observed in temporary employees, older adults, and African Americans under specific conditions.
• High impression management individuals also denied the importance of intelligence when stereotyped as less intelligent (Study 4).

Conclusions:

• Impression management concerns can lead individuals to employ denial as a strategy to mitigate stereotype threat.
• Denial serves to protect self-concept when individuals fear confirming negative stereotypes.
• Findings highlight the role of impression management in shaping responses to social-psychological threats.