Working memory moderates stereotype threat effects for adolescents in Hong Kong

We explored working memory capacity as a moderator of stereotype threat, extending previous research which has yet to examine this for adolescents, or for the gender-mathematics stereotype. Seventy female and male adolescents (M-age = 15.54) from Hong Kong were randomly allocated to the stereotype threat or control condition. Stereotype threat was observed; females in the threat condition significantly underperformed compared to both females in the control condition and males in the threat condition. Working memory capacity moderated this effect; in the threat condition working memory positively predicted performance for female adolescents. No relationship was found in the control condition. This suggests that high working memory individuals are protected from stereotype threat effects. Implications for the link between stereotype threat and choking under pressure are discussed, along with highlighting thought suppression or automatic stereotype activation as possible mechanisms mediating the moderating role of working memory in stereotype threat.