Ever find that you are quick to apply stereotypes to people ? If so , you may have a higher cognitive ability than those who do n’t .
That mesmerism was made in a study by New York University . publish in theJournal of Experimental Psychology : General , it found that sassy people were more likely to see and apply societal stereotype .
“ Superior cognitive power are often associated with positive consequence , such as pedantic accomplishment and social mobility , ” said David Lick , the study ’s lead author , in astatement . “ However , our work shows that some cognitive ability can have negative consequences – specifically , that people who are skilful at detecting pattern are especially quick to find out and apply social stereotype . ”
In the enquiry , 1,257 the great unwashed on Amazon ’s “ Mechanical Turk ” study tool , which pays citizenry for hold part in surveys , took part in six online experiments designed to prove this hypothesis . One involved the great unwashed canvas male cheek with noses of vary breadth paired with a description of past behavior , such as direct efflorescence ( perceived as friendly ) or laugh at a homeless someone ( unfriendly , if you needed clarification ) .
Participants then played an online trust game where they allocate money to a collaborator . The partner could then part the money how they chose . But significantly , the cooperator also had an embodiment , with their nozzle manipulated to be all-inclusive or minute . Avatars with a wider olfactory organ , perceived with play along a negative behavior trait , were awarded less money .
Most significantly , those who performed best at a pattern detection test ( associated with higher cognitive ability ) were more likely to apply stereotypes to people . However , these same people were also more likely to update their stereotypes when give way new info .
“ The beneficial news program is we also found that these individuals are better able to fall their stereotyping when presented with new patterns that dispute existing unimaginative associations , ” said Colorado - author Jonathan Freeman . “ Our finding may help pave the elbow room for succeeding inquiry that leverage radiation pattern detection or other cognitive power for reducing social biases . ”
So , if you ’ve got more brain power , you might be more likely to adjudicate hoi polloi on stereotypes – but you ’re also more potential to change your opinion when you ascertain something new . So it ’s not all bad .
