Correlational accuracy measures sacrifice directional information about stereotype errors.

Evidence

A second alternative to direct difference comparisons between judgments and the criterion is to use correlational methods. We have called such correlational assessments sensitivity correlations. Across multiple attribute dimensions, one can assess for each perceiver the degree to which judgments covary with the criterion. In terms of stereotypic accuracy, substantial correlations would indicate that perceivers are sensitive to the varying prevalence of particular attributes within a group: perceivers judge there to be a greater prevalence of attribute dimensions that are in fact more prevalent. While these sorts of sensitivity correlations have the potential to overcome judgmental scale usage problems, they of course make directional comparisons between the criteria and judgments impossible. For instance, if there are inaccuracies, one cannot determine whether judgments overestimate or underestimate the stereotypic differences between groups. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 872

These three forms of stereotype inaccuracy – stereotypic inaccuracy, dispersion inaccuracy, and valence inaccuracy – tend to take on certain expected directions in the intergroup literature, based on the notions that prejudice guides intergroup stereotypes. The most obvious effect of intergroup hostilities should be on valence inaccuracy, with actual group differences between the ingroup and the outgroup overestimated on dimensions that favor the ingroup and underestimated on dimensions that favor the outgroup. It may also be the case that more prejudiced social perceivers see larger group differences in general than actually exist, regardless of the valence of the attribute dimensions. In particular, prejudiced perceivers may tend to overestimate the relative degree to which outgroups possess stereotypic attributes and underestimate the extent to which they manifest within-group variability. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 863

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines ‘sensitivity correlations’ as correlational stereotype-accuracy assessment and notes their trade-off.
• XREF: Connects to existing vault claims on Allport’s contact theory and prejudice psychology thread — this is the inaccuracy taxonomy that frames contact-theory outcomes.
• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 872; , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 863