Pattern of disconfirming information and processing instructions as determinants of stereotype change

This experiment examined the effects of pattern of disconfirming informatio n (concentrated vs. dispersed) and processing instructions (focus on simila rities vs. differences vs. control) on stereotype change. If subtyping and perceived typicality are central tu thr stereotype change process, then pro cessing instructions designed to affect these processes should affect stere otyping. There was lower stereotyping when perceivers focused on similariti es between group members, and after exposure to a dispersed pattern of disc onfirming information. Only the: main effect of pattern was mediated by the perceived typicality of disconfirmers, but not by an index of subtyping ba sed on clustering of information from disconfirmers in recall. Results supp ort a model of stereotype change in terms of the impact of disconfirming gr oup members who, are also seen as typical of the group; subtyping of extrem e disconfirmers may work in parallel, or later, and contribute to the long term maintenance of a stereotype.