title: Self-image threat decreases stereotyping: The role of motivation toward closure.
abstract: Some prior research indicated that self-image threat may lead people to stereotyping and prejudiced evaluations of others. Other studies found that self-image threat may promote less stereotypical thinking and unprejudiced behavior. In a series of three studies, we demonstrate that self-image threat may lead to either more or less stereotypical perception of the outgroup depending on the level of the individuals` motivation toward closure (NFC). The results reveal that when individuals high (vs. low) in NFC perceived a member of an outgroup, they are less likely to use stereotypical traits if their self-image had been threatened by negative feedback (Study 1) or if they had imagined an example of their own immoral activity (Studies 2 and 3). Moreover, our results demonstrate that the fear of invalidity resulting from self-image threat induction is responsible for the foregoing effects (Study 3). These results are discussed in light of theories of motivational readiness and lay epistemics.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060 Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kossowska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060 Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bukowski
authors.affiliation: University College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guinote
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Ingardena 6, 30-060 Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dragon
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park, MD USA.
authors.forename: Arie W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Kruglanski
keywords: Fear of invalidity; Need for closure; Self-esteem; Self-image threat; Stereotypical perception