On resisting the temptation for simplification: Counterintentional effects of stereotype suppression on social memory

C. Nell Macrae, Galen V. Bodenhausen*, Alan B. Milne, Vicky Wheeler

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

86 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-20
Number of pages20
JournalSocial Cognition
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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