Stereotype susceptibility in children: Effects of identity activation on quantitative performance

A growing body of research indicates that the activation of negative stereo types can impede cognitive performance in adults, whereas positive stereoty pes can facilitate cognitive performance. In two studies, we examined the e ffects of positive and negative stereotypes on the cognitive performance of children in three age groups: lower elementary school, upper elementary sc hool, and middle school. Very young children in the lower elementary grades (kindergarten-grade 2) and older children in the middle school grades (gra des 6-8) showed shifts in performance associated with the activation of pos itive and negative stereotypes; these shifts were consistent with patterns previously reported for adults. The subtle activation of negative stereotyp es significantly impeded performance, whereas the subtle activation of posi tive stereotypes significantly facilitated performance. Markedly different effects were found for children in the upper-elementary grades (grades 3-5) . These results suggest that the development of stereotype susceptibility i s a critical domain for understanding the connection between stereotypes an d individual behavior.