The Facilitating Effect of Stereotype Threat on Cognitive Performance and its Mechanism: a Study among Migrant Children Born In Cities

Yi-Ting FAN Tian-Shuang ZHOU Lijuan Cui

Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2019, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4) : 884-890.

PDF(702 KB)
PDF(702 KB)
Journal of Psychological Science ›› 2019, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4) : 884-890.

The Facilitating Effect of Stereotype Threat on Cognitive Performance and its Mechanism: a Study among Migrant Children Born In Cities

  • Yi-Ting FAN1,2,Tian-Shuang ZHOU1,2, 1,2,Lijuan Cui3
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Abstract

Previous research has focused on the negative effects of stereotype threat, but more and more studies have found that stereotype threat has also brought positive effects. With the development of society, a new special group has emerged among the Migrant Children--the Migrant Children Born In Cities. They were born and raised in cities with much higher city identity. Whether they are influenced by stereotype threat because of the status of migrant children bothered us. This study aimed to explored the effects of stereotype threat on this new group and the influencing mechanism. From a positive perspective, we hypothesized that stereotype threat would have a positive effect on them and promote their cognitive task performance. Based on the arousal theory of stereotype threat, the present study investigated the mediating effect of attentive on the relationship between stereotype threat and cognitive task performance, and the impulsivity’s moderation of the self-esteem. In Study 1. At first, we manipulated the level of stereotype threat (threat VS non-threat). Subjects were asked to read a text and then complete the cognitive task test under the priming situation. The independent t-test showed that the cognitive task test score of the threat group was significantly higher than that of the non-threat group (t=-2.29, p<0.05). The results indicated that stereotype threat positively predicted the performance of Migrant Children Born In Cities. Attentive and self-esteem were further included in the study 2. Before priming the situation, subjects were asked to complete the Self-esteem Scale, then read the text to prime the situation of stereotype threat (the same as study 1), report their level of attentive (from 1 to 5), and complete the cognitive task test. We analyzed the moderated mediating effects of the hypothetical model in SPSS macro PROCESS. The results of moderated mediating effect test showed that the interaction between stereotype and self-esteem (t=1.82, p<0.05) and the interaction between self-esteem and attentive (t=-3.45, p<0.001) were significant. The simple effect analysis is further indicated that the mediating effect of attentive was significantly moderated by self-esteem when it was in low level. For individuals with low self-esteem, Stereotype threat affects cognitive task performance through attentive (standardized indirect effect of the attentive on stereotype threat=-0.62; standardized indirect effect of the cognitive task performance on attentive=3.18; Bootstrap95%CI[-2.68, -0.02]); For high self-esteem individuals, the mediating effect of attentive was not significant. Meanwhile, self-esteem is an important protective factor for them to against with stereotype threat. In summary,this study revealed the characteristics of this new group---Migrant Children Born In Cities and enriches the existing research in the field of stereotype threat. The current study provides a new perspective for the research of the migrant children. The findings highlight the importance of positive qualities like self-esteem which can protect them from threat.

Key words

Migrant Children Born In Cities / Stereotype Threat / Attentive / self-esteem

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Yi-Ting FAN Tian-Shuang ZHOU Lijuan Cui. The Facilitating Effect of Stereotype Threat on Cognitive Performance and its Mechanism: a Study among Migrant Children Born In Cities[J]. Journal of Psychological Science. 2019, 42(4): 884-890
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