The stereotypes of four ethnic groups

The possible interfering effects of social desirability (SD) on stereotype questionnaires were investigated. By controlling SD, it was assumed subjects would more likely respond to the qualitative meaning of an adjective, and unique stereotypes would result for each nationality. The Katz and Braly adjectives were presented to 800 students in a forced choice format. Two different questionnaires—one controlling for SD, the other for applicability or frequency (but not for SD)—were analyzed for Israelis, Jews, Japanese, and Germans. Results showed that when SD was controlled, negative as well as positive adjectives were chosen to describe the groups. When SD was not controlled, frequency of choice and SD correlated substantially. However, except when Japanese were in the comparison, stereotypes overlapped each other.