TY - JOUR
T1 - On resisting the temptation for simplification
T2 - Counterintentional effects of stereotype suppression on social memory
AU - Macrae, C. Nell
AU - Bodenhausen, Galen V.
AU - Milne, Alan B.
AU - Wheeler, Vicky
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - In two studies, we investigated the process and consequences of stereotype suppression. In Study 1, participants formed impressions of a target, via an audio-taped self-description, while simultaneously responding to a randomly presented probe stimulus (i.e., probe reaction task). While performing the impression-formation task, some participants were instructed to inhibit their stereotypes about the target's social group; others were given no such instruction. The results demonstrated: (i) that stereotype suppression is an effortful, resource-demanding mental process; and (ii) that stereotype suppression ironically reduces attentional resources available for processing target-related information. Study 2 replicated the finding that stereotype suppressors had impaired memory for nonstereotypic individuating information and revealed another ironic consequence of mental control. Specifically, following a period of stereotype suppression, participants demonstrated enhanced recall for the formerly unwanted stereotypic material.
AB - In two studies, we investigated the process and consequences of stereotype suppression. In Study 1, participants formed impressions of a target, via an audio-taped self-description, while simultaneously responding to a randomly presented probe stimulus (i.e., probe reaction task). While performing the impression-formation task, some participants were instructed to inhibit their stereotypes about the target's social group; others were given no such instruction. The results demonstrated: (i) that stereotype suppression is an effortful, resource-demanding mental process; and (ii) that stereotype suppression ironically reduces attentional resources available for processing target-related information. Study 2 replicated the finding that stereotype suppressors had impaired memory for nonstereotypic individuating information and revealed another ironic consequence of mental control. Specifically, following a period of stereotype suppression, participants demonstrated enhanced recall for the formerly unwanted stereotypic material.
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U2 - 10.1521/soco.1996.14.1.1
DO - 10.1521/soco.1996.14.1.1
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0002938155
SN - 0278-016X
VL - 14
SP - 1
EP - 20
JO - Social Cognition
JF - Social Cognition
IS - 1
ER -