Is positivity always beneficial? The effect of positive meta-stereotypes on working memory and their mechanism

Abstract

Meta-stereotypes are ingroup beliefs regarding the stereotypes that outgroup members hold about the ingroup members. Studies on meta-stereotypes have been conducted with a focus from the negative perspective of it. In comparison, positive meta-stereotypes can have either a boost effect or a choking effect. However, there is a lack of discussion on them, especially in cognitive processing. As the core of cognitive processing, working memory influences many aspects of information processing. Based on the positive meta-stereotypes effect, this study investigates the relationship between positive meta-stereotypes and working memory, as well as their underlying mechanisms. Approach motivation may be closely related to positive meta-stereotypes and working memory. When positive meta-stereotypes are activated, individuals tend to increase approach motivation to prove that they have reached the expectations of others. In addition, approach motivation is an essential factor affecting working memory. The stronger the approach motivation is, the worse the working memory performance will be. However, approach motivation’s role in the relationship between positive meta-stereotypes and working memory remains unknown. Therefore, this study clarifies the relationship between positive meta-stereotypes and working memory and reveals approach motivation’s mediating role in the association between positive meta-stereotypes and working memory. Core self-evaluations refers to the essential evaluation of an individual’s ability and value, which may be a potential moderating variable of the meta-stereotypes effect. According to the Theory of Resource Conservation, core self-evaluations alleviates the harmful influence of external pressure on individuals. Individuals with high core self-evaluations have more resources to combat the adverse impact of pressure after positive meta-stereotypes are activated. To be more specific, when positive meta-stereotypes are activated, low core self-evaluators will experience stress, reducing working memory performance. The current study comprised three experiments. Experiment 1 aimed to explore the relationship between meta-stereotypes and working memory in college students from rural areas. All participants were randomly assigned to positive meta-stereotypes activation or control conditions. They then completed meta-stereotypes manipulation examination and N-back task. Compared with the control group, the positive meta-stereotypes activation group had a lower working memory accuracy under difficult task conditions. Experiment 2 examined the mediating effect of approach motivation. All participants were randomly assigned to positive meta-stereotypes activation or control conditions. Subsequently, they completed meta-stereotypes manipulation examination for approach motivation and N-back task. The results of Experiment 1 were replicated as approach motivation played a mediating role. Finally, Experiment 3 explored the moderating effect of core self-evaluations. The participants completed core self-evaluations measures and the same measurement as Experiment 2. The results replicated the findings of Experiment 2 and found that core self-evaluations played a moderator. The working memory accuracy of the participants with high core self-evaluations decreased in the difficult task (2-back). The research results support the “stress vulnerability hypothesis”. This study enriches the previous research on meta-stereotypes and its mechanisms on working memory. These findings have theoretical value concerning meta-stereotypes effect and practical value in alleviating the harmful effects of positive meta-stereotypes.