Abstract
The present study examined whether a set of demographic variables and stereotype threat could explain African-American/White mean differences in cognitive ability test performance. African Americans and Whites were found to significantly differ in stereotype threat and educational attainment of participants' fathers (i.e., father education). In moderate support of our study hypothesis, stereotype threat and father education partially mediated race differences in cognitive ability test scores. Implications for study findings are discussed, and limitations of the study are noted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Arvey, R.D., Strickland, W., Drauden, G., & Martin, C. (1990). Motivational components of test taking. Personnel Psychology, 43, 695-716.
Baron, R.M., & Kenny, D.A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychology research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173-1182.
Barrett, G.V., & Depinet, R.L. (1991). A reconsideration of testing for competence rather than for intelligence. American Psychologist, 46, 1012-1024.
Blau, Z.S. (1981). Black children/White children: Competence, socialization, and social structure. New York: Free Press.
Campbell, F.A., & Ramey, C.T. (1994). Effects of early intervention on intellectual and academic achievement: A follow-up study of children from low-income families. Child Development, 65, 684-698.
Campbell, J.P. (1996). Group differences and personnel selection decisions: Validity, fairness, and affirmative action. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 49, 122-158.
Ceci, S.J., & Williams, W.M. (1997). Schooling, intelligence, and income. American Psychologist, 52, 1051-1058.
Chan, D., Schmitt, N., DeShon, R.P., Clause, C.S., & Delbridge, K. (1997). Reactions tocognitiveability tests: The relationships between race, test performance, face validity,and test-taking motivation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82, 300-310.
Chan, D., Schmitt, N., Sacco, J.M., & DeShon, R.P. (1998). Understanding pretest and posttest reactions to cognitive ability and personality tests. Journal of Applied Psychology, 83, 471-485.
Eysenck, H.J. (1971). Race, intelligence, and education. London: Temple Smith.
Garibaldi, A.M. (1997). Four decades of progress... and decline: An assessment of African-American educational attainment. Journal of Negro Education, 66, 105-120.
Grubb, H.J., & Ollendick, T.H. (1986). Cultural-distance perspective: An exploratory analysis of its effect on learning and intelligence. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 10, 399-414.
Helms, J.E. (1992). Why is there no study of cultural equivalence in standardized cognitive ability testing? American Psychologist, 47, 1083-1101.
Humphreys, L.G. (1988). Trends in academic achievement of Blacks and other minorities. Intelligence, 12, 231-260.
Jensen, A.R. (1980). Bias in mental testing. New York: Free Press.
Mainstream science on intelligence. (1994, December 13). The Wall Street Journal, p. A18.
McKay, P.F. (1999). Stereotype threat and its effect on the cognitive ability test performance of African-Americans: The development of a theoretical model. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, Akron, OH.
McKay, P.F., & Doverspike, D. (2001). African-Americans' test-taking attitudes and their effect on cognitive ability test performance: Implications for public personnel management selection practice. Public Personnel Management, 30, 67-75.
McKay, P.F., Doverspike, D., Bowen-Hilton, D., & Martin, Q.D. (2002). Stereotype threat effects on the Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices scores of African-Americans. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 32, 767-787.
McLoyd, V.C. (1998). Socioeconomic disadvantage and child development. American Psychologist, 53, 185-204.
Ogbu, J.U. (1991). Minority coping responses and school experience. The Journal of Psychohistory, 18, 433-456.
Ogbu, J.U. (1993). Differences in cultural frame of reference. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 16, 483-506.
Raven, J.C., Court, J.H., & Raven, J. (1985). Manual for Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices and Vocabulary Scales: General Overview. London: H.K. Lewis & Co., Ltd.
Roth, P.L., BeVier, C.A., Bobko, P., Switzer III, F.S., & Tyler, P. (2001) Ethnic group differences in cognitive ability in employment and educational settings: A meta-analysis. Personnel Psychology, 54, 297-330.
Rushton, J.P. (1994). The equalitarian dogma revisited. Intelligence, 19, 263-280.
Sackett, P.R., Schmitt, N., Kabin, M.B., & Ellingson, J.E. (2001). High-stakes testing in employment, credentialing, and higher education prospects in a post-affirmative action world. American Psychologist, 56, 302-318.
Scarr, S., & Weinberg, R.A. (1978). The influence of “family background” on intellectual attainment. American Sociological Review, 43, 674-692.
Schmidt, F.L. (1988). The problem of group differences in ability test scores in employment selection. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 33, 272-292.
Schmidt, F.L., & Hunter, J.E. (1998). The validity and utility of selection methods in personnel psychology: Practical and theoretical implications of 85 years of research findings. Psychological Bulletin, 124, 262-274.
Steele, C.M. (1997). A threat in the air: How stereotypes shape intellectual identity and performance. American Psychologist, 52, 613-629.
Steele, C.M., & Aronson, J. (1995). Stereotype threat and the intellectual test performance of African-Americans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 797-811.
Suzuki, L.A., & Valencia, R.R. (1997). Race-ethnicity and measured intelligence: Educational implications. American Psychologist, 52, 1103-1114.
U.S. Census Bureau (2001, December). Table FINC-07. Income Distribution to $250,000 or More for Families: 2000. Current Population Survey. Retrieved May 30, 2002 from http://ferret.bls.census.gov/macro/032001/faminc/new07
Valencia, R.R., & Rankin, R.J. (1986). Path analysis of sociocultural and family constellation variables on intellectual performance of Anglo, Black, and Mexican American children. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Seattle, WA.
White, K.R. (1982).The relation between socioeconomic status and academic achievement. Psychological Bulletin, 91, 461-481.
Williams, W.M., & Ceci, S.J. (1997). Are Americans becoming more or less alike? Trends in race, class, and ability differences in intelligence. American Psychologist, 52, 1226-1235.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
McKay, P.F., Doverspike, D., Bowen-Hilton, D. et al. The Effects of Demographic Variables and Stereotype Threat on Black/White Differences in Cognitive Ability Test Performance. Journal of Business and Psychology 18, 1–14 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025062703113
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025062703113