GREAT EXPECTATIONS - THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF FALLING SHORT

The present study shows conditions under which a positive stereotypic belief-Asians are good in mathematics-can have negative consequences. Participants graded a poorly performed mathematical assignment that th ey believed was the work of an Asian or a White target person. Under n o accuracy instructions, participants who spent less time grading (unm otivated participants) assigned fewer points to the Asian than the Whi te target. There was no difference in assignment of points to the Asia n or the White target when participants were given accuracy instructio ns or spent more time grading (motivated participants). The findings s uggest that group members may experience negative consequences when th ey fall short of ''great expectations'' stemming from a positive stere otypic belief about their group.