First Evaluation of a Stereotype Reduction Workshop

Abstract

In this study the authors attempt to evaluate a stereotype reduction workshop conducted with students from three South African universities. Pre- and post-measures in the form of the stereotypes produced for salient outgroups, and responses on a scale designed to measure constructs related to the aims of the workshop, were gathered from an experimental and a control group. Results were encouraging. The experimental group produced significantly fewer negative stereotypes for one of the outgroups after attending the intervention than they did before the intervention, while the control group's pre-intervention negative stereotypes still existed afterwards. Significant differences in the ratio of negative to total outgroup stereotypes produced before and after the intervention were also found between the experimental and the control groups. On the scale that was used, the post-scores for the experimental group were significantly higher than for the control group, but only at the 90% confidence level. Weaknesses in the design are indicated, and suggestions for further research are made.