Stereotype threat beyond gender and mathematics: The cognitive burden of stigmatising health conditions

The stereotype threat theory has been one of the leading conceptual frameworks adopted by social and educational psychologists to explain why members of stigmatised groups systematically underperform and are at risk of withdrawal in academic settings. Much stereotype threat research, as well as recent criticisms on strengths and limitations of the extant stereotype threat literature, has focused on the impact of negative stereotypes about girls’ and women’s ability in mathematics. However, evidence of stereotype threat susceptibility has emerged across a host of stigmatised groups and in relation to a variety of challenging ability domains. In this chapter, research highlighting stereotype threat effects related to stigmatising health conditions will be explored, with a special focus on the consequences of low academic and cognitive competence stereotypes attached to adults and children with neurodevelopmental disorders, physical disability, and obesity. Implications for future research on stigmatised identities and academic achievement are discussed.