Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success : A Self-management Approach

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58 CHAPTER 3

What can educators do about reducing the influence of stereotype

threat? Aronson (2002) pointed out that stereotype threat appears to

be especially disruptive to individuals who believe that intelligence is

fixed rather than changeable. In this course, you are learning that aca-

demic performance can be improved through the use of different

learning and motivational strategies. Do you believe that you can

become a more successful student and compete with other students at

your college or university? There also is some evidence that stereo-

type threat may be reduced through cooperative learning and other

forms of direct contact with other students.

In a successful program that improved the academic achievement

of a group of African American freshman at the University of Michigan

(Steele et al., 1997), students lived in a racially integrated “living and

learning” community in a part of a large dormitory. The students were

recognized for their accomplishment of gaining admission to the uni-

versity and participated in weekly rap groups to discuss common

problems they all faced. In addition, they participated in advanced

workshops in one of their courses that went beyond the material in

the course. All of these activities were useful; however, the weekly rap

sessions appeared to be the most critical part of program. The

researchers believed that when students of different racial groups hear

the same concerns expressed, the concerns appear to be less racial.

The students also may learn that racial and gender stereotypes play a

smaller role in academic success than they may have originally

expected.

It is important to realize that the researchers exploring the impact

of stereotype threat are not saying that this phenomenon is the sole

reason for underachievement by certain minority students. We have

already discussed a number of other important academic and moti-

vational factors that can make a difference between a successful and

unsuccessful college experience. Nevertheless, stereotype threat must

be considered an important factor in understanding underachievement

of certain minority students.

Directions: What attitudes and beliefs have you brought to college

that could influence your motivation and academic behavior? Check

EXERCISE 3.1: SELF-OBSERVATION: ANALYZING

MY PERSONAL AND

SOCIOCULTURAL BACKGROUND

either Yes or No for each of the questions on p. 59 and then write

a summary statement about how your personal, social, and cultural

experiences influence your present motivation. What do you see as

your areas of greatest strengths in meeting your goals? What areas

do you need to work on to ensure your success in college?