Confirmation bias and the stereotype of the black athlete

The stereotype guided how participants viewed the person's actions/words. The stereotype of black athletes is distinct from black men generally. Participants did not rate men negatively along the stereotypic dimensions when they were black salesmen, only when they were black athletes. Additionally, although the quality “athletic,” which is part of the global stereotype of black men, has a positive connotation, the stereotype that is built around this quality is not positive. It is a stereotype that this group has natural athletic ability that leads to an arrogance and lack of work ethic (since one is naturally gifted).