Let's first take a look at your responses on the eight sentences that we altered to be consistent with the relevant stereotype. For comparison, we'll also display the results from all participants in this activity.
Alteration:
When reading the original sentence, most people infer that Jill was sad. However, when Jill is renamed Jack, most people infer that he was angry. The inference that Jill was sad appears to be inspired by stereotypes about women.
% of participants answered correctly.
Alteration:
The original sentence never said whether the nun was unhappy because there was too much or too little liquor. The inference that she felt there was too much liquor appears inspired by people's stereotypes of nuns. People would not make the same inference if the nun were, say, a rock musician.
% of participants answered correctly.
Alteration:
The original sentence never stated what the women specifically talked about at the water cooler. Gender stereotypes appear to lead people to infer that the women are gossiping. When the people in the sentence are men, people infer that they were talking about sports.
% of participants answered correctly.
Alteration:
When the character is a physicist, people are much more likely to infer that he or she was merely mistaken, not lying. People's stereotypes of politicians, however, lead to a very different inference.
% of participants answered correctly.
Alteration:
The original sentence never specified what Amy's feelings were. They could have just as easily been repulsion as well as attraction. However, stereotypes about Hollywood actors tend to lead people toward a specific inference of romantic attraction. People make quite a different inference when the sentence is, say, about Amy's feelings toward a criminal.
% of participants answered correctly.
Alteration:
Why can't Jane be a doctor? It's never mentioned in the original sentence. However, when Jane is instead "Bill," people infer that he was a doctor. Gender stereotypes, again.
% of participants answered correctly.
Alteration:
The term "physical condition" is ambiguous. When the character is a triathlete, people are much more likely to infer that she was concerned about her "physical fitness." People's stereotypes about fashion models tend to lead to a different inference here.
% of participants answered correctly.
Alteration:
From the original sentence, one could conclude that Mike was committed to the relationship too much. However, gender stereotypes about men tend to lead people to conclude that he was not committed to the relationship at all. When it's Mike who questions Gloria's level of commitment, people tend to make different inferences about what's going on.
% of participants answered correctly.
When Jill found out that her friend had been murdered, she became very upset.
When Jill found out that her friend had been murdered, she became very sad.
You answered this one correctly.
You answered this one incorrectly.
% of participants answered incorrectly.
The nun was unhappy about the amount of liquor being served at the party.
The nun was unhappy about the large amount of liquor being served at the party.
You answered this one correctly.
You answered this one incorrectly.
% of participants answered incorrectly.
The women at the office liked to talk around the water cooler.
The women at the office liked to gossip around the water cooler.
You answered this one correctly.
You answered this one incorrectly.
% of participants answered incorrectly.
Some felt that the politician's statements were untrue.
Some felt that the politician's statements were lies.
You answered this one correctly.
You answered this one incorrectly.
% of participants answered incorrectly.
Amy found it hard to disguise her feelings toward the Hollywood actor.
Amy found it hard to disguise her attraction toward the Hollywood actor.
You answered this one correctly.
You answered this one incorrectly.
% of participants answered incorrectly.
Jane administered the medicine to the patient.
Jane, the nurse, administered the medicine to the patient.
You answered this one correctly.
You answered this one incorrectly.
% of participants answered incorrectly.
The fashion model had to be concerned every day about her physical condition.
The fashion model had to be concerned every day about her physical appearance.
You answered this one correctly.
You answered this one incorrectly.
% of participants answered incorrectly.
Gloria argued with Mike about how much he was committed to the relationship.
Gloria argued with Mike about how little he was committed to the relationship.
You answered this one correctly.
You answered this one incorrectly.
% of participants answered incorrectly.
Stereotype-Inconsistent Results
