Improving the Accuracy of Stereotypes Within the Workplace

Abstract

Organizations experience high levels of inefficiency when decisions are based on inaccurate stereotypes. As humans are dependent upon stereotypes in their daily information processing, a critical issue is the identification of conditions that produce more accurate stereotypes. This article delineates a social cognition model of stereotyping and identifies thefactors involved in developing more accurate stereotypes. The model is applied to gender stereotypes to indicate how these stereotypes may be modified. Managerial implications and future research issues are identified with the anticipation that these ideas will provide guidelines as to how to stimulate more accurate stereotypes in organizations.