A new studypublishedin theJournal of Experimental Psychology : Generalfinds that people who score higher on one type of word test are more likely to buy into stereotype . Fortunately , they ’re also more likely to chuck out them .
There are many different kinds of intelligence , each reliant on its own set of skills and abilities . One such ability is pattern recognition , without which we ’d have trouble know case , watch languages , or reading other hoi polloi ’s emotions . Because it ’s so primal to our cognitive and social operation , pattern recognition is sometimes used by research worker as a tachygraphy for overall intelligence agency .
Researchers at New York University inquire if there was any downside to this kind of intelligence — if a soul ’s ability to make quick associations could make them more susceptible to harmful stimulus generalisation and stereotypes .
To find out , they design a series of six online experiments to compare more than 1200 participants ’ pattern recognition accomplishment with how easy they purchase into stereotypes .
In one experimentation , the researchers showed participant a collection of humankind ’s faces , along with a verbal description of something each human beings had done in the past . Some of the humankind ’s actions were good , like sending flowers to someone who was sick . Others were unpleasant .
What the participant did n’t realize was that the researchers had rigged the frame-up so that one facial lineament , either a wide of the mark nose or a narrow one , was paired more often with bad behavior , essentially inventing a damaging stereotype .
After this subconscious introduction , participants were invited to play a combine secret plan with a practical partner ( actually a research bot ) . The “ mate ” avatar had subtle differences in the shape and size of their nose .
Sure enough , participants who breeze through the pattern recognition test were more distrustful of participant with the “ regretful ” sort of nose , whichever case that materialize to be . Their ability to parachute quickly to conclusions seemed to lead them right into the stereotype snare .
“ higher-ranking cognitive ability are often associated with positive effect , such as academic accomplishment and social mobility , ” direct author David Licksaidin a argument . “ However , our employment shows that some cognitive abilities can have damaging consequences . ”
The intelligence was n’t all bad . Another experiment prove people ’s power to let go of harmful existing stereotype — in this casing , bear on to sex . The researchers subtly scupper participants to information that challenged their opinion , show woman behaving assertively , for example , or men stepping apart to let others lead .
As it turned out , participant who scored higher on the pattern recognition test were also better at submit in this new selective information and letting it change their minds . After vulnerability , they were less likely to buy into harmful gender stereotypes .
“ Finding that high pattern detection power couch hoi polloi at greater risk to detect and apply stereotypes , but also to reverse them , implicates this ability as a cognitive mechanism underlie stereotyping , ” co - writer Jonathan Freeman said in the command .
“ Our findings may avail pave the path for future research that leverages practice spying or other cognitive abilities for reducing social prejudice . ”
