Stereotypes survive only when perceivers have spare cognitive resources

Evidence

The issue is not only whether additional information gives room for the reinterpretation of the evidence, but also whether perceivers enjoy the necessary cognitive resources to actively salvage their cherished beliefs. As a matter of fact, research reveals that perceivers confronted with a deviant group member manage to dismiss this inconsistency (thereby retaining the original stereotype unaltered) unless they face another cognitively demanding task (in which case their general stereotype is weakened) (Yzerbyt, Coull, & Rocher, 1999). “Fencing off” a deviant is a job that comes with its attentional cost, one that people are nevertheless willing to pay if this can help them to maintain their preconceptions. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1178

Categorization

• XREF: Reciprocal mirror of the classic ‘cognitive load increases stereotyping’ finding — here the same budget constraint means the load breaks the stereotype-maintenance work instead. Connects to dual-process models of prejudice. — connects to: Stereotypes can operate implicitly outside conscious awareness — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes,…, 193