FOCUS research project successfully completed

The study funded by the Young Academy of TU Dortmund University to investigate the effects of stereotype threat on vocabulary, motivation, emotion, and well-being has been successfully completed. The project, which ran from May 2024 to January 2026, focused on the effects of stereotype threat—the fear of confirming a negative stereotype about one's own social group. In addition to examining the multifaceted effects of stereotype threat, the study also looked at significant personal moderators that are assumed to mitigate or amplify stereotype threat effects.

The project targeted university students. A total of around 600 university students took part in the study. Methodologically, the project was based on an experimental pre-post design with different stereotype threat conditions to which the students were randomly assigned.

One of the key findings is that stereotype threat can also affect students' well-being. In addition, important insights were gained into personal moderators that can mitigate the negative effects of stereotype threat. The results make a valuable contribution to a better understanding of the manifold effects of stereotype threat on key characteristics of academic success and provide initial starting points for possible interventions. The results of the project will be published in a scientific publication and presented at conferences.