On the fading of social stereotypes: Studies in three generations of college students.

Karlins, Marvin; Coffman, Thomas L.; Walters, Gary

Compared the social stereotypes of 150 undergraduates with those in 2 earlier studies. In contrast to the 'fading effect' observed by G. M. Gilbert (see 25:12), current stereotypes of 10 national and ethnic groups were found to be highly uniform. However, several important differences in this sample were observed: Ss protested the unreasonableness of ethnic generalizations; major changes occurred in stereotype content; uniformity of stereotypes was positively correlated with favorableness of traits assigned; and the autostereotype of Americans fell from 1st to 5th place in favorableness. Distinctions are made among personal, social, contemporary and traditional stereotypes, and the relationship of stereotyping to prejudice and ethnocentrism is discussed. (24 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Attitudes; Ethnology; Prejudice; Student Attitudes

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1969, Vol 13, Issue 1, p1

0022-3514

Journal

10.1037/h0027994