Spotlight on the Context: How a Stereotype Threat Framework Might Help Organizations to Attract and Retain Older Workers

摘要

Stereotype threat is a psychological condition that can affect anyone who is a member of a negatively stereotyped group (Roberson & Kulik, 2007). Kalokerinos, von Hippel, and Zacher (2014) make a strong case encouraging greater research on stereotype threat in the workplace. Their arguments hinge on empirical evidence that the experience of stereotype threat is associated with employee outcomes such as unfavorable job attitudes, work disidentification, and lowered career aspirations. I agree with Kalokerinos et al.'s conclusion: A stronger research emphasis on the stereotype threat construct will simultaneously lead to a greater understanding of how workplace conditions affect members of stereotyped groups and identify strategies for making workplaces more welcoming to those groups. I believe that their arguments will be effective in motivating researchers to study stereotype threat in the workplace. However, their arguments need to go further if we are going to convince managers about the value of stereotype threat research. Managers need to understand that the stereotype threat framework has practical implications for attracting, engaging, and retaining members of stereotyped groups.