College Students’ Political Attitudes Affect Negative Stereotypes about Social Groups

This study examined the relations between political attitudes and negative stereotypes in undergraduates by employing 4 measures of stereotypes: modern sexism, modern racism, feelings about 20 social groups, and ratings of the intelligence of these social groups. It was hypothesized that conservatives and Republicans alike would show more evidence of negative stereotypes than liberals and Democrats, especially for disadvantaged social groups. The study revealed that, indeed, Republicans showed stronger evidence of negative stereotypes but that Democrats also harbor some biases. Importantly, the social groups for whom Democrats and Republicans show negative stereotypes differed greatly. Republicans had considerably more negative stereotypes against racial and religious minorities, and particularly against individuals who do not identify with the cis-gender, heterosexual norm. Thus, the targets of Republicans’ stereotypes were groups that have traditionally been subjected to discrimination. Democrats, on the other hand, held stronger negative stereotypes against groups that are more politically powerful, such as Caucasians and Christians.