Trait-Related Concepts Activate Stereotypically Consistent Concepts on the Same Stereotype Dimension, But May not Spread to the Other Stereotype Dimension

Abstract

Applying the stereotype-content model, which categorizes stereotypes into two dimensions (warmth and competence), we investigated whether gender-stereotype-related concepts activate other concepts on the same dimension and concepts on the other dimension. To test this, we conducted two experiments, both based on the Deese–Roediger–McDermott paradigm. In Experiment 1, we conceptually replicated the results of previous research, which revealed that when trait-related words are presented to participants, gender-stereotype-related concepts induce the later false recognition of stereotypically consistent non-presented words. Then, in Experiment 2, we revealed that exposure to gender-stereotype-related concepts induces the false recognition of non-presented words relevant to stereotypical concepts on the same dimension, but not those on the other dimension. We conclude by discussing the underlying process of ambivalent stereotype activations, referring to implicit processes and system justification.