Abstract
Two experiments investigated whether interpretations of quantitative expressions
about described actors’ behaviors are influenced by stereotypic expectancies.
Participants rated sentences containing frequency adverbs describing either stereotype-consistent or stereotype-inconsistent behaviors. Results showed that recipients inferred a higher numerical frequency when sentences described stereotype-consistent (vs inconsistent) behaviors. These effects of stereotype consistency were stronger for high (vs low) degree frequency adverbs. The findings show how neutral statements about a person can be interpreted as stereotype-confirming information and thus contribute to stereotype maintenance.
about described actors’ behaviors are influenced by stereotypic expectancies.
Participants rated sentences containing frequency adverbs describing either stereotype-consistent or stereotype-inconsistent behaviors. Results showed that recipients inferred a higher numerical frequency when sentences described stereotype-consistent (vs inconsistent) behaviors. These effects of stereotype consistency were stronger for high (vs low) degree frequency adverbs. The findings show how neutral statements about a person can be interpreted as stereotype-confirming information and thus contribute to stereotype maintenance.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 376-387 |
| Journal | Journal of Language and Social Psychology |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2024 |
Keywords
- linguistic bias
- frequency adverbs
- stereotypes
- prejudice
- language
- quantity expressions