This article focuses on the role of language in social-stereotype formation through interpersonal communication. We conducted a between-subjects experiment (N = 423), in which participants were exposed to differential remarks about (members of) an unknown social group. Remarks varied in two linguistic devices: (a) label type, by distinguishing between generic and specific labels and (b) behavior descriptions, by contrasting negations and affirmations in descriptions of competent (e.g., not stupid vs. smart) and incompetent behaviors (e.g., not smart vs. stupid). Generic (vs. specific) labels increased perceived entitativity (“groupness” of category members), stereotype content (perceived competence) and perceived essentialism of described behaviors. Compared with affirmations, only the communication pattern with negations in descriptions of competent behaviors (e.g., not stupid) decreased perceived competence of group members, and increased perceived essentialism of incompetent behavior. Label type and negations did not interact, suggesting that these linguistic devices play a distinct, parallel role in stereotype formation.

中文翻译：

---

语言如何促成刻板印象的形成：行为描述中标签类型和否定使用的综合影响

本文侧重于语言在通过人际交往形成的社会刻板印象中的作用。我们进行了一个受试者之间的实验（N = 423），其中参与者接触到关于（成员）一个未知社会群体的不同评论。评论在两种语言装置中有所不同：（a）标签类型，通过区分通用和特定标签；（b）行为描述，通过对比描述有能力（例如，不愚蠢与聪明）和无能行为（例如，不聪明与愚蠢）。通用（与特定）标签增加了所描述行为的感知实体性（类别成员的“群体性”）、刻板印象内容（感知能力）和感知本质主义。与肯定相比，只有在描述有能力的行为（例如，不愚蠢）时带有否定的交流模式才会降低群体成员的感知能力，并增加对无能行为的感知本质主义。标签类型和否定没有相互作用，这表明这些语言装置在刻板印象形成中起着独特的平行作用。