Notes from Appian Way: Exploring Stereotype Threat with Claude Steele

Gerardo Ochoa is a master’s candidate in the Higher Education Program. He has dedicated his professional journey to address issues of college access, persistence, affordability, and helping students find their life purpose. Born in Michoacán, Mexico, Gerardo now calls Portland, Oregon home.

This year, the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) launched “Community Conversations” that aim to focus the entire community on a particular series of dialogues for each academic year. This year’s Community Conversations theme is “Fulfilling the Promise of Diversity”. On Appian Way, we are engaging in an ongoing discussion about the challenges and opportunities associated with topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Prior to our arrival this fall, and in preparation for this year’s Community Conversation, Dean Ryan encouraged us to read Whistling Vivaldi, Dr. Claude Steele’s book about stereotype threat. The book explores how negative stereotypes associated with a group that one identifies with, can negatively effect multiple parts of one’s life. He particularly highlights the affect that internalized stereotype threat can have on academic performance. Whether the negative stereotypes are related to gender, race and ethnicity, or athletic ability, his work highlights that we are all impacted by stereotype threat in one way or another. ...

To read the complete blog post, visit "Exploring Stereotype Threat with Claude Steele."

Read more blog posts by master's students at the Harvard Graduate School of Education at Notes from Appian Way.