Effects of confirmations and disconfirmations on stereotype-based attributions.

Abstract

This article examines the effects of evidence that confirmed or disconfirmed a stereotype on subjects' use of that stereotype in forming impressions of a member of the stereotyped group. The subjects learned about typical behaviors of three friends of the target person and then indicated their impressions of that person. The mere mention of membership in the stereotyped group increased stereotypic attributions. Confirming evidence was more effective in increasing stereotyping when it was dispersed across the three friends' descriptions than when it was concentrated in one friend's description, whereas disconfirming evidence was more effective in decreasing stereotyping when it was concentrated in one friend's description than when it was dispersed across several friends' descriptions.

Subtyping versus bookkeeping in stereotype learning and change: Connectionist simulations and empirical findings.

“…No studies to our knowledge have directly claimed support for the hypothesized conversion process, although some researchers (e.g., Weber & Crocker, 1983) have interpreted Gurwitz and Dodge (1977) as supporting the conversion model.…”

Real‐time decision making and aggressive behavior in youth: a heuristic model of response evaluation and decision (RED)

“…Experiences are also differentially weighted as a function of their density. Gurwitz and Dodge [1977] found that experiences that disconfirm a stereotypic schema are ignored if they occur dispersed among several intervening events. In contrast, identical experiences exert a change in the stereotypic schema if they are experienced in a concentrated order.…”

A biopsychosocial model of the development of chronic conduct problems in adolescence.

“…Although it is relatively easy to manipulate parameters in the laboratory setting (Gurwitz & Dodge, 1977), it is more difficult to disentangle the effects of self-fulfilling prophecies versus original group differences in ecologically valid settings. However, the proposed model posits that these factors operate in concert, rather than in opposition, over time; thus, the effects of stereotypes and differential environmental feedback will be to magnify group differences across time.…”