Behavioral indecision: Effects of self-focus on automatic behavior

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that heightened self-focus would el iminate effects of stereotype activation on overt behavior. Our hypothesis was derived from the literature on conscious attention and self-focus and o n recent treatments of action control. Specifically, our hypothesis was bas ed on the notion that self-focus makes alternative behavioral cues salient and that this would lead to active inhibition of the stereotype and its eff ects on behavior. Indeed, results of two experiments showed that heightened self focus overrides behavioral effects of stereotype activation. These fi ndings were obtained with different stereotypes, priming techniques, and be havioral measures.