Counselors are obligated to work effectively with diverse groups, yet human tendencies towards stereotyping and biases can impede counselors’ efforts. Understanding implicit social cognition and factors that might affect it is important because implicit stereotyping and biases can have effects in counselors’ work. In this study we hypothesized that graduate students in mental health fields would show indicators of stereotyping in an implicit experiment. The experiment utilized neural and behavioral dependent measures (N400 event-related potential component and reaction time) to indicate stereotyping. We also hypothesized that mindful observing and multicultural awareness would moderate stereotyping effects. Our first hypothesis was partially supported, as participants showed neural and behavioral markers of stereotyping towards black men and white women. Our hypotheses regarding moderators were not supported, as these stereotyping effects were not moderated by mindful observing or multicultural awareness. Implications for counseling practice and research are discussed.
Stereotyping Among Graduate Students in Mental Health Fields: An EEG Study
