Social Class Identity: The Role of Identity Changeability Perceptions on the Relationship between Beliefs about Intelligence and Sterotype-Relevant Outcomes.

Abstract

Similar to other well-studied social identities, social class identity affects cognitions and has associated stereotypes. However, unlike identities such as race, people may differ in their perceptions of the changeability of social class identity. The current work theorized that these perceptions of social class might be predicted by broader theories individuals have about the world, particularly implicit theories of intelligence. In turn, perceptions of one’s social class identity may mediate the relationship between theories of intelligence and stereotype-related outcomes. These relationships form the proposed Implicit Theory/Identity Changeability Model. Among a diverse social class sample, Study 1 examined the indirect role of social class changeability perceptions on the relationship between implicit theory of intelligence and stereotype self-endorsement. The results suggest that social class identity is unique compared to other identities in terms of those perceptions mediating the relationship between beliefs about intelligence and stereotype self-endorsement. Study 2 aimed to extend the research by focusing on a lower income population, to which the intelligence-based stereotype is particularly pertinent, and testing the model on performance-based outcomes. The model was supported, such that participants with more entitative views of intelligence tended to perform more poorly, but this relationship was somewhat explained by the unchangeable perceptions of social class that entity theorists tend to hold. Study 3 sought to test the full Implicit Theory/Identity Changeability Model, that suggests that implicit theory of intelligence predicts changeability perceptions of social class identity, which predicts the endorsement of relevant stereotypes, which then predicts stereotype-related outcomes, thus weakening the direct relationship between implicit theories of intelligence and these outcomes. Study 3 also attempted to manipulate theories of intelligence and social class perceptions, and examined how individual difference factors (Just World Beliefs, Optimism, and Social Dominance Orientation) may affect the model. Although manipulations were unsuccessful, support was provided for the model, and results suggested a role for Social Dominance Orientation. The current research shows that the manner in which an individual views social class identity (as changeable or unchangeable) helps explain why one’s implicit theory of intelligence can predict social class stereotype-related outcomes. Implications for low-income serving organizations are discussed.