Myron Rothbart & Robert Mauro
The use of categories in judgment and behavior represents a compromise between simplification and fidelity, as exemplified in Lippmann’s description of stereotypes as reducing “subtlety” and “variety” to allow us to “traverse the world.” This pragmatic view of stereotypes is compelling but ultimately unsatisfying. Are there disadvantages or costs of having a simple view of the world lacking in subtlety and variety?
Although these questions are difficult to answer in the abstract, this paper explores sources of error in our perceptions of human groups, with particular emphasis on the perception of racial groups. We then examine the implications of using race as a basis for predicting behavior, particularly in organizational contexts. When the images associated with race are negative, and the reality of race involves social inequality, acting on stereotypes has the effect of perpetuation or exacerbating inequality. Using two documented instances of institutional predictions involving race, police drug searches and parole decisions, suggestions are made for using predictors other than race that nevertheless allow predictability.
Rothbart, M., & Mauro, R. (1996). Social categories and decision making: How much differentiation do we need? In D. Messick & A. Tenbrunsel (Eds.), Codes of Conduct: Behavioral Research into Business Ethics (pp. 143-159). New York: Russell Sage.