Stereotype Threat Might Explain the Black-White Test-Score Difference.

The article author analyzes the factors which cause or explain racial-group differences in Black-White scores in psychological tests. If stereotype threat or analogous race or culture- related psychological constructs could be shown to account for the Black-White test-score disparity, then society would be relieved of the burden of unfair testing practices. Mind-sets are well within the domain of behaviors that psychologists intend to measure, manipulate, or predict, whereas racial groups are not. Consequently, if stereotype-threat mind-set could replace racial group as the explanatory mechanism for the test-score disparity, then psychologists, educators, and other test users could utilize theory-driven interventions for increasing the test scores of Black test takers rather than use the arguably ineffectual approaches discussed in several research papers.