Do Stereotypes of Mental and Developmental Disorders Predict Bystander Intentions in Cyberbullying? An Application of the Stereotype Content Model

Abstract

It was investigated whether different types of mental or developmental disorders (MDD) would be rated differently in terms of stereotypic perceptions and behavioral tendencies and whether these effects of stereotypes on behaviors would be mediated via emotional responses in line with the Stereotype Content Model (SCM). Furthermore, an experimental investigation sought to ascertain whether predictions about behavioral intentions of bystanders in a cyberbullying scenario towards a victim with MDD could be derived from the general behavioral tendencies as predicted by the SCM. Two-hundred-forty-eight undergraduate students (62% female) aged 18-35 (M = 22.5) were randomly allocated to one of five conditions (anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, Asperger's, or control). Stereotypes, emotional and behavioral responses, as well as bystander intentions were assessed. Results largely confirmed the general application of the SCM to MDD; however, this was not the case for bystander intentions in cyberbullying. Implications for the application of the SCM and methodological considerations are discussed.

The stereotype content model and mental disorders: Distinct perceptions of warmth and competence

“…Some of the disorder specific results can be related to other research. For example, according to MDD, the findings are mixed: Görzig et al (2019) as well as Follmer and Jones (2017) reported that people with depression were rated low in warmth and competence, whereas in Sadler et al (2015) they were rated high in warmth and low in competence. In our study in turn they were rated as high in warmth and moderate in competence.…”

Perceiving a depressive target: Infrahumanization at emotional and culture levels.

“…Misappropriated (and harmful) stereotypes of mental illness contribute to discrimination, including increased vulnerability to cyberbullying (Görzig et al, 2019) and a perception that treatment is impossible (Ando et al, 2013). Research suggests that categorizing individuals with mental illness as incompetent or dangerous leads to their rejection and evokes fear (Levey et al, 1995; Link & Cullen, 1983; Wolff et al, 1996).…”

Thriving at work with ADHD: antecedents and outcomes of proactive disclosure

“…Research finds that employees with disabilities tend to be viewed as less competent than those without disabilities (Fiske et al. , 2002; Görzig et al. , 2019; McLaughlin et al.…”

“…As illustrated in our opening quotation, these fears may not be unreasonable. Research finds that employees with disabilities tend to be viewed as less competent than those without disabilities (Fiske et al, 2002;G€ orzig et al, 2019;McLaughlin et al, 2004), which has implications for revealing a concealable disability. Employers are more likely to discriminate against people who have disabilities when hiring for jobs that require high levels of responsibility and complexity (Brohan et al, 2012).…”