A Stereotype Threat Account of Boys' Academic Underachievement. Issue 5 (12th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hartley, Bonny L.; Sutton, Robbie M.
• Is Part Of: Child development. Volume 84:Issue 5(2013:Sep./Oct.)
• Page Start: 1716
• Page End: 1733
• Publication Date: 2013-02-12
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Child Development; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pedicatrics; 305.231
• DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12079
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-3920

Abstract

Abstract : Three studies examined the role of stereotype threat in boys' academic underachievement. Study 1 (children aged 4–10, n = 238) showed that girls from age 4 years and boys from age 7 years believed, and thought adults believed, that boys are academically inferior to girls. Study 2 manipulated stereotype threat, informing children aged 7–8 years ( n = 162) that boys tend to do worse than girls at school. This manipulation hindered boys' performance on a reading, writing, and math test, but did not affect girls' performance. Study 3 counteracted stereotype threat, informing children aged 6–9 years ( n = 184) that boys and girls were expected to perform similarly. This improved the performance of boys and did not affect that of girls.