Stereotype Threat and Sport: Can Athletic Performance Be Threatened?

• DOI: 10.1123/jsep.26.4.597
• Publication Date: 2016-08-10T12:12:57Z
• Authors: Sian L. Beilock; Allen R. McConnell
• Keywords: Stereotype Threat; Stereotype (UML); Phenomenon; Sport Psychology

Stereotype threat occurs when knowledge of a negative stereotype about social group leads to less-than-optimal performance by members that group. Although the phenomenon has been extensively studied in academic and cognitively-based tasks, it received little attention sport. This article reviews existent literature on discusses its implications for sports performance. The causal mechanisms sport are examined, followed discussion why cognitive processes thought govern stereotype-induced decrements cognitively based tasks (e.g., GRE or SAT tests) may not unequivocally extend skills. Finally, factors should moderate impact outlined. Because important consequences athletics impairing athletic performance, maintaining underrepresentation minority athletes certain sports), is deserves greater exercise psychology research.