Theory and Research on Stereotypes and Perceptual Bias

Abstract

This article presents theory and selected research on stereotyping and cognitive automaticity as a didactic resource base for multicultural counselor educators. Multicultural trainers can use this information in the classroom to establish the existing scientific evidence indicating that perceptual processes taking place outside of conscious awareness give rise to biased perceptions involving racial or ethnic categories. The objective of this didactic resource is to impress upon counseling trainees the importance of coming to terms with racial prejudice and biases often hidden from conscious scrutiny. In addition to the didactic material, several experiential exercises designed to elicit awareness of biases in personal attitudes and beliefs toward culturally diverse groups are presented. Suggestions for future research are also included.