When negative stereotypic expectancies turn into challenge or threat : The moderating role of regulatory focus

The impact of negative stereotypic expectations on men’s verbal performance was investigated in an experimental study. The study was designed to test a theoretical perspective that relates self-regulatory processes as postulated in Regulatory Focus Theory (Higgins, 1998) to stereotypic expectancy effects on test performance as previously documented in research on stereotype threat. It is argued that negative stereotypic expectancies (e.g., “Men are bad at verbal tasks”) are more likely to result in a threat experience and poorer test performance when a prevention focus and in turn a special sensitivity to potential negative outcomes is activated whereas negative stereotypic expectancies are more likely to result in a challenge experience and better test performance when a promotion focus has been induced. The results indicate that expectancy effects on test performance are indeed moderated by the mode of self-regulation activated in the testing situation.