Tammy Is Taking a College Admissions Test in Math to See

question 22

Multiple Choice

Tammy is taking a college admissions test in math to see if she can enroll in an accelerated math course. She has heard that males tend to perform better on this test than females, although she has no evidence that this statement is true. The proctor giving the test also might be concerned that Tammy is thinking that males might do better on this test as she has heard other students make such a comment. In order to reduce any stereotype threat that Tammy might be feeling, the proctor could make the following comment:

• A) "Try your hardest. That is all you can do."
• B) "You may have heard that males tend to do better on this test, but I don't think that is true."
• C) "You might not do as well as you would like, but all you can do is what your potential allows."
• D) "All students show similar performance on this test."

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Definitions:

Ambivalent

Mixed feelings or contradictory attitudes towards something or someone.

Avoidant

Relating to or indicative of a personality trait or behavior characterized by a tendency to withdraw from or avoid emotional intimacy.

Secure

Characterized by safety or the state of being free from danger or threat, often used in the context of cyber security or emotional stability.

Psychosocial Development

A theory that proposes that an individual’s psychological development occurs in a series of predetermined stages, emphasizing the effects of social relationships on psychological development.