Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
06:53
Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
The interpersonal basis of stereotype-relevant self-views
Stacey Sinclair1, Jesse Pappas, Janetta Lun
1Psychology Department, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. ssinclr@princeton.edu
Journal of Personality
|August 19, 2009
Summary
Individuals self-stereotype when interacting with affiliative others who hold group stereotypes. This context-dependent self-stereotyping persists over time and through social connections, aligning with Cognitive-Affective Personality System (CAPS) theory.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Self-stereotyping research explores how individuals perceive themselves in relation to group norms.
- Cognitive-Affective Personality System (CAPS) theory offers a framework for understanding personality in terms of if...then contingencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the interpersonal underpinnings of self-stereotyping.
- To integrate findings on context-dependent self-stereotyping with CAPS theory.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent research on self-stereotyping.
- Analysis of findings through the lens of CAPS theory.
Main Results:
- Individuals engage in self-stereotyping when motivated by affiliation and perceived stereotypic views of interaction partners.
- Self-stereotyping effects can be temporally extended through future interactions and social influences.
Conclusions:
- Context-dependent self-stereotyping aligns with the if...then contingencies proposed by CAPS theory.
- The interpersonal basis of self-stereotyping provides empirical support for CAPS theoretical constructs.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Implicit Personality Theories
Implicit personality theory explains how individuals make assumptions about the relationships between personality traits, behaviors, and character types. When people learn that someone possesses a particular trait, they tend to infer the presence of other related characteristics, forming a cohesive impression. This cognitive shortcut plays a crucial role in social interactions and interpersonal judgments.Central Traits and Their InfluenceSolomon Asch's seminal 1946 study highlighted the power...
02:16Stereotype Content Model
The Stereotype Content Model (SCM) was first proposed by Susan Fiske and her colleagues (Fiske, Cuddy, Glick & Xu, 2002; see also Fiske, 2012 and Fiske, 2017). The SCM specifies that when someone encounters a new group, they will stereotype them based on two metrics: warmth—or that group’s perceived intent, and how likely they are to provide help or inflict harm—and competence—or their ability to carry out that objective. Depending on the warmth-competence categorization, a person will feel...
01:27Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
02:16Self-Schemas
In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
01:28Understanding the Self
The self is a central aspect of human identity, encompassing an individual’s beliefs, emotions, perceptions, and experiences. It is a cognitive and psychological construct that enables individuals to interpret their traits and behaviors, influencing how they perceive themselves and interact with the world. While personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics, the self is shaped by self-perception and social experiences. This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of the self,...
02:09Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies
When we hold a stereotype about a person, we have expectations that he or she will fulfill that stereotype. A self-fulfilling prophecy is an expectation held by a person that alters his or her behavior in a way that tends to make it true. When we hold stereotypes about a person, we tend to treat the person according to our expectations. This treatment can influence the person to act according to our stereotypic expectations, thus confirming our stereotypic beliefs. Research by Rosenthal and...