Complex Social Categories and Prejudice: Exploring Stereotypes at the Intersection of Mental Disorders and Ethnicity

Abstract

Modern social categories are more numerous and more complex than ever before. As social categories diversify, so do the stereotypes and resulting prejudices surrounding them. Humans are inherently intersectional; they belong to more than one social category. This study used the Stereotype Content Model to explore the nature of warmth and competence stereotypes related to intersectional identities arising from mental illness and ethnic groups. It then used the Justification-Suppression Model to explain the process by which prejudice arising from stereotypes against these various intersectional identities could be expressed. This study had three research questions: 1) Are mental disorders and ethnic groups viewed similarly in terms of warmth and competence?; 2) How do warmth and competence ratings for intersectional identities of ethnic groups and mental disorders differ from the ratings for each separate control category for each ethnic group and mental disorder by itself?; and 3) What are positive and negative conceptions surrounding these mental disorders? Findings encompassed mental disorder negativity bias (especially for Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Autism), differential impact of mental illness on ethnic groups, and generally negative conceptions surrounding mental disorders. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords: mental disorders, mental illness, ethnic groups, Stereotype Content Model, negativity bias, Justification-Suppression Model, intersection