Date of Award

Fall 12-2023

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Elena Stepanova

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Tammy Greer

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Kenji Noguchi

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Abstract

The present study assessed (a) the stereotype content of poor people among the poor and the non-poor by using implicit and explicit measures and (b) how these stereotypes map onto actual traits of the poor (i.e., stereotype accuracy). Experiment 1a assessed the stereotype of interpersonal warmth associated with the poor in the non-poor individuals using the Single Category Implicit Association Task (SC-IAT) and stereotype rating questionnaire. Participants also completed the interpersonal warmth inventory. Poor participants completed the SC-IAT, stereotypes ratings, and interpersonal warmth inventory to assess the stereotypes and stereotype accuracy (Experiment 1b). In Experiment 2a, I recruited non-poor participants to determine the stereotype of social competence of the poor by using the SC-IAT and stereotype rating questionnaire. Participants also completed the social competence inventory. Poor participants completed the SC-IAT, stereotypes ratings, and social competence inventory to assess the social competence stereotype and stereotype accuracy (Experiment 2b). In both experiments, there were no significant differences between the poor and non-poor on the explicit or implicit measures. However, both the poor and non-poor samples were more biased toward the poor on the implicit than explicit measures for both interpersonal warmth and social competence. Explicitly, the poor and non-poor overestimated the level of both traits in poor individuals. Yet implicitly, both groups underestimated the level of both traits in poor individuals. The groups did not differ on the traits assessed. Implications are discussed in the context of the stereotypes of the poor and whether they are accurate or not.

ORCID ID

0000-0003-1810-9103

Available for download on Wednesday, December 31, 2025

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