Stereotypes at Work
- Katina SawyerKatina SawyerDepartment of Management, George Washington University
- and Judith A. ClairJudith A. ClairDepartment of Management and Organization, Boston College
Summary
Stereotypes are a central concern in society and in the workplace. Stereotypes are cognitions that drive what individuals know, believe, and expect from others as a result of their social identities. Stereotypes predict how individuals view and treat one another at work, often resulting in inaccurate generalizations about individuals based on their group membership. As such, it’s important to break down and combat the use of stereotypes in decision-making at work. If stereotypes can be overcome in the workplace, fairness and equity in organizations becomes more likely.
