Stereotype content and morality: How competence and warmth arise from morally significant interactions

Stereotypes about many groups fall along two dimensions, one relating to agency/competence and the other morality/warmth. This paper integrates research and theory on stereotype contents and mind perception to explore how stereotypes of competence and warmth are linked to perceptions of moral agency and patiency. Competence identifies the moral agent, and warmth both identifies the moral patient and describes the moral valence of the interaction. In two experimental tests, a simple animated film showing circles and squares interacting in various ways elicited predicted competence and warmth stereotypes that tracked perceived moral valence. Integrating stereotype contents and mind perception literatures offers new ways to think about the origins, functions, and dynamics between dimensions of stereotype content.