How students from different socio-economic status perceive themselves? Study of the SES stereotype content

The aim of the present research is to study the content of the stereotypes associated with students' high and low socio-economic status (SES), using free association, Brigham's percentages and McCauley & Stitt's diagnostic ratio methods. Independently of the method used, the results show that low SES students are somehow positively perceived. This is not the case with negative traits, in particular those related to intellectual abilities, which are differently associated to the stereotype depending on the method used. Additionaly, the results show that a stereotype of high SES students can be identified, for which intellectual and academic dimensions seem to be central. Limits of this study and particular interest regarding its implications (i.e. stereotype threat) are discussed., (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tons droits reserves.