Expert psychological testimony in recent sex discrimination and sexual
harassment cases has presented fact finders with a conceptual framewo
rk for understanding the antecedents and consequences of gender stereo
typing. In this article, we focus on perhaps the most scientifically c
omplex aspect of research on gender stereotyping-namely, the role that
individuating information plays in stereotypical thinking. Although a
preponderance of evidence suggests that stereotypes are likely to inf
luence impressions and evaluations when perceivers have either minimal
or ambiguous information about another person, there is the potential
for attorneys and even some expert witnesses to misconstrue this aspe
ct of the scientific data base. We review briefly pertinent findings o
n the relationship between stereotypes and individuating information,
and discuss some of the reasons why this evidence could be misrepresen
ted.