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The effects of stereotype threat on cognitive function in ecstasy users
J C Cole1, K Michailidou, L Jerome
1Psychology Department, Liverpool University, Liverpool, UK. joncole@liv.ac.uk
Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|September 22, 2005
Summary
Ecstasy users experiencing stereotype threat performed worse on cognitive tests. However, when primed that ecstasy does not cause deficits, their memory performance improved, suggesting stereotype threat influences results.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Stereotype threat can negatively impact cognitive performance in stereotyped groups.
- Ecstasy users may face stereotype threat due to media reports on cognitive deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of stereotype threat on the cognitive performance of ecstasy users.
- To examine if priming affects ecstasy users' performance on cognitive tests.
Main Methods:
- Participants included ecstasy and non-ecstasy using polysubstance misusers.
- Stereotype threat was induced by priming participants with information on ecstasy's cognitive effects.
- Cognitive performance was assessed using various tests, including the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test.
Main Results:
- Ecstasy users primed that ecstasy does not cause cognitive deficits performed significantly better on delayed prose recall.
- No other statistically significant differences were found between groups on other cognitive tests.
Conclusions:
- Stereotype threat appears to influence the cognitive performance of ecstasy users.
- Future research should carefully manage experimental conditions and media reporting to mitigate stereotype threat effects.
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