The impact of sex based stereotype threat on decision making

Abstract

The present study, a replicated study by Inzlicht and Kang (2010), focused on spillover effects in decision making. This study focused on how sex-based stereotype threat would influence decisions. Participants in the experimental condition were primed with a stereotype threat experience by asking them to recall a time they experienced stereotype threat based on their gender. They were then given a choice between two (risky vs. safe) hypothetical lottery ticket options. Participants in the control condition made the same lottery ticket choice, but without being primed to think about experiences with stereotype threat beforehand. The decisions of the participants were examined to look for sex-based differences in their choice. Unexpectedly, it was found that women were more likely to choose the safe lottery ticket following the recollection of a stereotype threat experience. Further, it was found that participants that live in a rural, relative to a more urban, setting were more likely to choose the safe lottery ticket when there was no recall made. Implications of the findings are discussed.