The Social Role Theory as a Predictor of Stereotype Content

Abstract

This paper emphasizes the importance of the study of stereotype content and recognizes three major approaches involved in its investigation: an atheoretical approach, the social role theory, and the theory of mixed stereotype content. A description of each approach is discussed along with critiques of each and a comparison of the social role theory and the theory of mixed stereotype content. Proposed in this paper is a future study that will test the validity of the social role theory (based on an individual's role in society). The ability of the social role theory to predict stereotype content will be assessed by means of participant ratings of agentic and communal qualities of groups and group roles. It is hypothesized that the social role theory will present itself as a valid predictor of stereotype formation as shown by associations between social group agentic/communal qualities and social role agentic/communal qualities.