Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

1-1-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Psychology

First Advisor

Rebekah E. Smith

Second Advisor

Rebekah E. Smith

Third Advisor

Carrie V. Smith

Relational Format

dissertation/thesis

Abstract

Stereotype threat causes individuals to perform worse on tasks when they are made aware of a task-relevant negative stereotype for a group to which they belong. Prior research has demonstrated that this effect has been alleviated by using a number of methods including changing test context or bolstering the stereotyped group. One method of bolstering the threatened group is through a self-affirmation of preferred character traits. Nostalgia is a sentimental longing for the past, which has been shown to provide many benefits to an individual, both personally and socially. Research has shown that when told to recall a nostalgic memory, participants are said to have greater access to self-affirming characteristics. The present study was performed in an attempt to utilize nostalgic recollection to directly ameliorate the negative effects of stereotype threat. The study provided participants with a selection of gender identification using gendered images, followed by an instruction which was used as the stereotype threat elicitation. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three memory conditions — nostalgic, ordinary, and none — and were asked to recall and describe the appropriate memory. Participants then completed a hard math test using 26 sample GRE items. Multiple hypotheses were not supported. Some significant results are described. Probable null contributors, implications, and future directions are explored.

Keywords: Stereotype threat, nostalgia, gender, self-affirmation

Concentration/Emphasis

Experimental Psychology

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