Stereotype threat refers to the fear or nervousness that results when individuals of an out-group use a negative stereotype about your in-group against you.

Stereotype Threat

The risk of confirming negative stereotypes about an individual's racial, ethnic, gender, or cultural group which can impair performance.

Negative Stereotype

A fixed, overgeneralized belief about a particular group or class of people that is unfavorable or harmful.

Out-Group

A social group toward which an individual feels a sense of competition or opposition, as opposed to an "in-group," which elicits feelings of loyalty and belonging.