James Is a 68-Year-Old Retired History Professor, Who Has Been

question 23

Multiple Choice

James is a 68-year-old retired history professor, who has been asked to take over a college class for a week. Although he has practiced with the equipment used in the classroom, he is concerned that any slip in using this computer equipment will confirm the stereotype about older people "not being able to learn new skills, particularly those related to computers." Because he is anxious and preoccupied about possible problems with the classroom equipment, James actually does experience problems with the computer projection system during his first lecture. Psychologist Claude Steele referred to this as

• A)scapegoating.
• B)stereotype threat.
• C)dogmatism.
• D)cognitive dissonance.