Which of the following individuals is most likely to experience stereotype threat?

• A. A male student taking a history test in a classroom where no stereotypes about gender and history performance are mentioned.
• B. A female student taking a math test in a classroom where she is reminded of the stereotype that women perform worse in math than men.
• C. A student taking a science test in a classroom where the focus is on individual effort rather than group differences.
• D. A student taking a math test in a classroom where everyone is told that math ability is equally distributed among all groups.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of stereotype threat. Stereotype threat occurs when an individual is at risk of confirming a negative stereotype about their social group, which can negatively impact their performance.
2. Step 2: Identify the conditions that trigger stereotype threat. These include being aware of a negative stereotype about one's group related to the task at hand, and being in a situation where this stereotype is made salient or relevant.
3. Step 3: Analyze each scenario to see if the individual is reminded of a negative stereotype about their group in relation to the task. For example, a female student reminded of the stereotype that women perform worse in math is a classic case of stereotype threat.
4. Step 4: Compare scenarios where no stereotypes are mentioned or where the environment emphasizes equal ability or individual effort, which typically reduces or eliminates stereotype threat.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the individual most likely to experience stereotype threat is the one who is both aware of and reminded about a negative stereotype related to their group and the task, as this awareness can impair their performance.