Table 2.

Potential Consequences of Stereotype Threat for Patients (adapted from Burgess et al., 2010)

Demonstrated Effects of Stereotype Threat in Research Conducted in Nonmedical Domains	Potential Implications for Patient and Encounter
Lowered working memory capacity and cognitive performance.	Diminished ability to process information and follow treatment instructions.
Lowered performance expectations and self-control.	Lowered self-efficacy regarding ability to adhere to treatment.
Lowered effort.	Lowered motivation to adhere to recommendations.
Increased anxiety and physiological arousal.	Impaired communication skills during encounters, reducing fluency, self-disclosure, and response to clinicians’ questions.
Caused discounting of the importance or validity of feedback.	Patients experiencing stereotype threat might be more likely to discount clinicians’ recommendations.
Caused avoidance of and disengagement from situations in which the threat occurs.	If going to the doctor engenders feelings of inferiority, the patient might be more likely to avoid those experiences.
Resulted in low identification with the domain within which they consistently experience the threat.	Reduced motivation to adhere to medication, diet, and lifestyle recommendations.
Caused individuals to (unintentionally and largely unconsciously) behave in ways that confirmed group stereotypes.	May reinforce clinicians’ racial stereotypes, increasing the possibility that clinician will be influenced by racial bias.