18

The present study examines discriminatory behavior following a threat to the self. In line with past research showing increased prejudice among individuals whose positive self-image has been threatened, certain discriminatory behaviors were observed among threatened participants. Participants first received positive or negative false feedback on an intelligence task. Next, participants expected to interact with a target belonging to a minority or to their own (majority) group. Participants who received negative feedback and thus experienced a threat to the self, displayed more avoidance behavior towards the minority target compared to participants in the other groups. No discrimination was observed in other measures (eg., time spent with the target). Discussion focused on the conditions under which behavioral consequences of stereotype activation might be observed.