Do Cognitive Load and Processing Mode Influence Stereotypical Thinking About Consent?

Abstract

Judgements can be based on effortful deliberation, or they can be generated quickly and automatically. Whether we are “thinking fast” or “thinking slow” can influence decision-making and the outcome of our judgements. For example, how much of each thinking we recruit when judging others can influence how stereotypical those judgments are (Monteith, Woodcock, & Gulker, 2013). Recognizing and avoiding stereotypical and erroneous beliefs about sex, gender, roles, and responsibilities is an important part of building a culture of consent. This research examines whether more stereotypical responses to stories of consent failures occur when people respond automatically, analytically, or distractedly. Participants read a vignette depicting a sexual encounter, including contextual information to support stereotypical thinking. Presentation of the vignette was either degraded in quality or along with a dual task, compared to the control condition, in order to encourage more thinking slow or reduced monitoring respectively and thereby produce more stereotypical responding. Presentation of the research will discuss whether and where these expectations were supported. Understanding when stereotypical thinking is more likely can help reduce and correct potential errors in sexual consent judgments.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Aimee Skye