Jenny asks herself,"Did my officemate get the promotion instead of me because I am overweight or because I am really less qualified?" This sort of thought illustrates the ________ that members of stigmatized groups are likely to experience in everyday life.
A) stereotype threat
B) fundamental attribution error
C) attributional ambiguity
D) self-fulfilling prophecies

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Attributional ambiguity refers to the uncertainty and confusion that arise when individuals from stigmatized groups are unsure whether discriminatory treatment they receive is because of their personal qualities or due to prejudices held by others. In this case, Jenny is uncertain whether she was not promoted because of her weight or her qualifications, leading to attributional ambiguity. Stereotype threat refers to the apprehension experienced by individuals who believe they may be judged on the basis of negative stereotypes about their group. The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency to attribute other people's behavior to internal factors (such as personality) rather than external factors (such as situational factors). Self-fulfilling prophecies occur when holding a belief about someone leads us to behave in ways consistent with that belief, thereby making it more likely that the belief will come true.

Jenny Asks Herself,"Did My Officemate Get the Promotion Instead of Me