The Stereotype Threat Effect
An Alternative Explanation for Neurocognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia?
Abstract
Abstract. Neurocognitive deficits in patients with mental disorders are partially due to secondary influences. “Stereotype threat” denotes the phenomenon that performance is compromised when a participant is confronted with a devaluing stereotype. The present study examined the impact of stereotype threat on neuropsychological performance in schizophrenia. Seventy-seven participants with a self-reported diagnosis of schizophrenia were randomly assigned to either an experimental condition involving stereotype threat activation or a control condition in an online study. Participants completed memory and attention tests as well as questionnaires on motivation, self-efficacy expectations, cognitive complaints, and self-stigmatization. Contrary to our prediction, the two groups showed no significant differences regarding neuropsychological performance and self-report measures. Limitations, such as a possibly too weak threat cue, are discussed and recommendations for future studies are outlined.
Zusammenfassung. Neurokognitive Defizite bei Patienten mit psychischen Störungen sind zu einem gewissen Grad auf sekundäre Einflüsse zurückzuführen. „Stereotype threat“ (Bedrohung durch Stereotype) bezeichnet das Phänomen, dass eine Leistungsminderung eintritt, sobald ein Teilnehmer mit einem abwertenden Stereotyp konfrontiert wird. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte den Einfluss von „Stereotype threat“ auf die neuropsychologische Leistungsfähigkeit bei Schizophrenie. Insgesamt 77 Teilnehmer mit einer selbstberichteten Diagnose von Schizophrenie wurden zufällig entweder einer experimentellen Bedingung mit „Stereotype threat“ oder einer Kontrollbedingung im Rahmen einer Online-Studie zugewiesen. Beide Gruppen absolvierten Gedächtnis- und Aufmerksamkeitstests sowie Fragebögen zu Motivation, kognitiven Beschwerden und Selbststigmatisierung. Entgegen der Hypothese zeigten beide Gruppen keine signifikanten Unterschiede in Bezug auf die neuropsychologische Testperformance und die Selbstauskunftsbögen. Einschränkungen, wie z. B. ein möglicherweise zu schwacher Bedrohungshinweis, werden diskutiert und Empfehlungen für zukünftige Studien formuliert.
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