I Like You More if I Think You Like Me: The Effect of Metastereotypes on Attitudes Toward People With Deafness

Abstract

In the present article we aimed at investigating the role of metastereotypes and gender on hearing people's attitudes towards people with deafness. Ninety-six Italian hearing adults participated in a 2 × 2 experimental study. Participants were presented with the results of a fictitious but apparently real survey concerning the opinions people with deafness have of hearing people. Metastereotypes (positive vs. negative) were manipulated through this presentation. Results showed that metastereotypes interacted with participants' gender in determining their attitudes towards people with deafness: when positive metastereotypes were activated, women's attitudes appeared more favorable toward people with deafness if compared to the negative metastereotypes condition. No effect of metastereotypes was observed among male participants. In conclusion, the activation of metastereotypes can be a useful means in intervening to improve attitudes toward people with deafness.

Implications of metastereotypes for attitudes toward intergenerational contact

“…Despite the prevailing belief that metastereotypes are usually negatively valenced, and have corresponding negative effects (Vezzali, 2017; Voyles et al, 2014), we detected encouraging signs that generating positive metastereotypes—at least when people believe they are personalized—led respondents to think about interage interaction and age-based outgroups more favourably. This finding is consistent with previous reports that the activation of positive metastereotypes can enhance intergroup relations (e.g., Matera et al, 2015; Vezzali, 2017). Consequently, although activating negative metastereotypes potentially threatens the development of amicable intergroup relations (e.g., Kamans et al, 2009; Lammers et al, 2008; Owuamalam et al, 2013; Vorauer et al, 1998), our work echoes recent indications that activating positive metastereotypes may present an opportunity to enhance existing means of promoting positive intergroup relations.…”

“…From two experiments, Vezzali found that respondents in a positive metastereotype condition reported greater anticipated enjoyment regarding an intergroup interaction, greater concern about being accepted, and more positive feelings (denoting greater trust, expectation of being respected, and feeling comfortable) relative to those in negative metastereotype or no metastereotype conditions. Similar results were obtained by Matera et al (2015), who reported that more favourable attitudes towards members of the deaf community were reported by nondeaf persons in whom positive metastereotypes were induced than by persons in whom negative metastereotypes were induced, although this effect was limited to women.…”

“…They note, for instance, that negative metastereotypes can yield positive consequences if they are “perceived as a challenge or opportunity, [thereby] producing motivating effects,” whereas positive metastereotypes can produce outcomes similar to those arising from ABST, to the extent that a person “feels pressure to live up to expectations he or she may not believe are achievable” (2014, p. 420). More generally, although some have suggested that positive metastereotypes might have beneficial effects on intergroup interactions by making them seem more desirable (Matera, Verde, & Meringolo, 2015), others counter that even positively valenced metastereotypes can be detrimental to people engaged in (or contemplating) intergroup interactions, particularly if these positive metastereotypes are difficult to access (Vázquez, Yzerbyt, Dovidio, & Gómez, 2016). In part, Vezzali (2017) suggests, this is because simply perceiving oneself as being stereotyped—even positively—can “undermine control over one’s behavior, prescribe the behavior that can be exhibited, and threaten the need for personal distinctiveness” (p. 249; see also Vorauer, 2006, pp.…”

Chilean Health Professionals’ Attitudes Towards Deafness: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Strikingly, there were no significant differences in attitudes among professionals who have completed a LS course and those who did not reveal that these courses are characterized only by teaching a form of communication, leaving aside information about the culture and Deaf people's community. Also, no differences were observed in the attitude by sex, this differs with literature where women have more positive attitudes towards PwD [33,34].…”

Age Metastereotypes and the Content of Imagined Interage Conversations

“…Metastereotypes do not always lead to more strained intergroup relations, however, for not all metastereotypes are negative or unfavorable (Finkelstein, King, & Voyles, 2015). In fact, if a person holds favorable metastereotypes, negative affect may be attenuated and/or positive affect amplified (Matera, Verde, & Meringolo, 2015). Owuamalam et al (2013), for instance, found that the activation of positive metastereotypes (relative to the activation of negative ones) was associated with lower levels of anger, which, in turn, predicted less unfavorable evaluations of the outgroup.…”