Do Stereotypes Simplify Cognitive Processing? Examining The Cognitive Toolbox Through A Replication And Extension Of Macrae et al. (1994)

Stereotyping occurs in a wide variety of situations and can have severe and negative consequences. One potential explanation for the function of stereotypes offered by Macrae et al. (1994) is that they allow easier mental categorization of individuals and alleviate cognitive load. This can result in more attention for other tasks. In this thesis, I replicated Macrae et al.’s (1994) Study 1 using similar materials and procedures, while also addressing potential limitations to their research. Macrae et al. (1994) found that providing stereotype labels facilitated performance on a secondary task. In my replication study, I found no such facilitation effects. Further research needs to be done to fully understand the relationship between stereotyping and its potential to relieve cognitive load, but my study casts doubt on the reliability of Macrae et al.’s (1994) findings.