The Relation between Positive Stereotypes, Negative Stereotypes, and Discriminatory Behavior toward Hispanic and White Populations

Research examining positive stereotypes has suggested a possible connection between positive stereotype endorsement and prejudice. This literature, however, has not investigated the relation between positive and negative stereotypes endorsement. Additionally, the combined impact of positive and negative stereotype endorsement predicting prejudice or discrimination has not been considered. Two studies were conducted to address the limitations in past research and gain a better understanding of positive stereotypes relating to behaviors toward out-group racial groups using Hispanic and White participants. Positive stereotypes endorsement was hypothesized to be positively associated with negative stereotype endorsement and was expected to increase the predicted power of a regression model regressing overall stereotype endorsement on discriminatory behavior – measured by helping and social distance. Results from both studies did not find a significant relationship between negative and positive stereotype endorsement. Both positive and negative stereotype endorsement predicted discrimination, however, they contributed to the model in different ways. Negative stereotype endorsement was found to increase discrimination toward the target group, but positive stereotype endorsement was found to decreases discrimination toward the target group. Hispanic stereotype content endorsed by White participants was also examined using open-ended responses in study one. Results of a thematic analysis showed consistency in the positive and negative Hispanic stereotype content for the qualitative and quantitative measures of endorsement

Disease Salience Effects on Desire for Affiliation With In-Group and Out-Group Members: Cognitive and Affective Mediators

This study tested the hypothesis that threats related to infectious diseases would make persons less willing to affiliate with out-groups and that feelings of disgust and beliefs about the out-group members would mediate this effect. To test this hypothesis, American participants of European descent were presented with either a disease threat or control threat. Then they were shown a photograph of someone of the same race or different race. Participants were asked to indicate whether they would avoid the target person and to state their emotional and cognitive responses to the person. As predicted, disease salience decreased the desire to affiliate with out-group members, and both feelings of disgust and beliefs about the infection risk posed by the target person mediated this relationship