This study examined whether stereotype threat contributes to the observed gender gap in political knowledge. Researchers conducted phone surveys of college students, varying the interviewer's gender and information provided about the test. They found that women scored higher when interviewed by other women or when told the test was non-diagnostic of gender differences. The results suggest that concerns over confirming negative stereotypes can negatively influence women's scores on political knowledge tests.

1. Researchers : Matthew S. McGlone, Joshua Aronson, Diane Kobrynowicz Reviewed by : Rachel Andrex, Eunhee Yu, Greta Coates, Dominique Goldring, & Zion Seyoum November 13, 2008 Psyc 357 UMBC