Surprising counter-stereotypes could reduce prejudice and dehumanization of outgroups.
Exposure to counter-stereotypes can reduce biased feelings towards different groups. Thinking about stereotypes that go against the norm can make people feel surprised, leading to less stereotyped emotions and more positive views of others. This surprise triggers a process where people expect the unexpected, which helps in seeing outgroups in a more humanizing way. This research shows that counter-stereotypes can help decrease prejudice and improve how we feel about different groups.