TRAINING IN STATISTICAL REASONING INHIBITS THE FORMATION OF ERRONEOUSGROUP STEREOTYPES

Erroneous group stereotypes can result from people's failure to engage in sufficiently sophisticated reasoning strategies. Three experiments tested the hypothesis that training in statistical reasoning inhibits the formation of these stereotypes. In Study 1, 60 students were assi gned randomly to a control condition or one of two training conditions in which they received training in the logic of analysis of covarianc e. Approximately 1 week later, they were presented with a group impres sion formation task. Control participants formed erroneous stereotypes , bat those who received statistical training formed more accurate gro up impressions. Study 2 (N = 82) replicated these results, addressed c oncerns with experimental demand, and provided preliminary evidence co ncerning possible moderating effects of motivation. Study 3 (N = 44) t ested a different alternative explanation and provided further clues a bout the inferential processes through which statistical training infl uences group impressions.