Stereotype Threat and Academic Achievements in Students of Various Social Groups

Stereotype threat refers to being at risk of confirming, as a self-characteristic, a negative stereotype about one's social group (Steele & Aronson, 1995). It is a psychological phenomena that has negatively impact the performance of variety of groups (O' Brien & Crandall, 2003). Present study was aimed to investigate the stereotype threat and academic achievement in various social group students. Two measures, stereotype scale and educational achievements from High school to P.G. Entrance exam were applied on 300 students (100 from General, 100 OBC & 100 SC/ST) of various social groups. Results suggest that group membership of various social group affect the stereotype threat and academic achievements. Level of stereotype threat was found significant affect on academic achievement and also, it was found negative correlation between stereotype threat and academic achievements.