PERSONAL BELIEFS AND CULTURAL STEREOTYPES ABOUT RACIAL CHARACTERISTICS

Social stereotypes may be expressed as personal beliefs about the char acteristics of a group or as beliefs about the predominant cultural vi ew of a group. in a study with a full intergroup design, Black and Whi te participants rated Black and White racial groups. Results supported 3 sets of predictions derived from a projection model of stereotyping . First, participants' personal beliefs predicted their ratings of cul tural stereotypes even when the group averages of personal beliefs and cultural stereotypes were statistically controlled. Second, interrate r agreement in stereotype ratings was substantial for both rating task s. Third members of both groups underestimated how favorably their own group was rated by members of their respective out-group. Implication s of the findings for the mental organizations of stereotypes, their m easurement. and their consequences for social behavior are discussed.