The stereotype rebound effect: Universal or culturally bounded process?

Shen Zhang, Jennifer S. Hunt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stereotype rebound occurs when people experience an increase in stereotype use following attempts to suppress them. Two studies were conducted to examine cultural variability in the rebound effect. We hypothesized that, due to their experience suppressing unwanted thoughts, people from collectivist cultures would be less likely to experience the rebound effect than would people from individualist cultures. In both studies, U.S. and Chinese participants wrote two stories about gay men that were coded for stereotype use. Participants in the suppression condition were instructed to not to use stereotypes in their first story. As predicted, in both studies, U.S. participants in the suppression condition showed an increase in stereotype use in the second story, but Chinese participants did not. Potential explanations for cultural differences in the stereotype rebound effect are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)489-500
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology
Volume44
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2008

Keywords

  • Asians
  • Cross cultural differences
  • Prejudice
  • Stereotyped attitudes
  • Suppression

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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