European Review of Social Psychology (2000) Vol. 11: pp. 145-175 |
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Attention and Stereotyping: |
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| Cognitive Constraints on the | |||
| Construction of Meaningful | |||
| Social Impressions | |||
| Jeffrey W. Sherman | C. Neil Macrae | Galen V. Bodenhausen | |
| Northwestern University | University of Bristol | Northwestern University | |
ABSTRACT |
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| This paper examines the role of attentional capacity in stereotyping processes. We begin with an overview of different theoretical perspectives on this issue. Then we document how recent research has extended our understanding of the relationship between attention and stereotyping. First, we consider how variations in attentional resources influence social categorization, stereotype activation, stereotype application, and stereotype inhibition. Evidence from each of these domains supports the conclusion that stereotype-based impression formation is less resource-consuming than individuation. Second, we examine the role of attentional capacity in the encoding, retrieval, and meta-cognitive processing of stereotypical and counter-stereotypical information. Recent research extends our understanding of exactly how and why stereotype use is relatively efficient. Finally, we discuss the need to better specify the conditions under which attention is and is not likely to be impaired. New evidence suggests tht such considerations have important implications for understanding stereotyping. We conclude that there is now an abundant variety of evidence underscoring the importance of attentional resources in stereotyping. | |||