Meta-stereotype activation: Evidence from indirect measures for specific evaluative concerns experienced by members of dominant groups in intergroup interaction

Six experiments demonstrated that dominant group members readily frame inte rgroup interaction in terms of how they themselves are evaluated. The autho rs used indirect measures of meta-stereotype activation to assess dominant group members' inclination to spontaneously consider an out-group member's (ostensible) stereotypic expectations about them. The necessary conditions for meta-stereotype activation were rather minimal, but the potential for e valuation by an out-group member-as opposed to mere exposure to the person- was required. Individual differences involving the importance accorded to s ocial evaluation (public self-consciousness and personal importance of raci al attitudes) were associated with mete-stereotype activation, whereas raci al attitudes were not. Two studies in which evaluative orientation was mani pulated directly demonstrated a link between thinking in terms of how one i s viewed and the activation and application of meta-stereotypes.