The Generality and Consequences of Stereotype Threat

'Stereotype threat' refers to the state of psychological discomfort people experience when confronted by an unflattering reputation in a situation where that reputation can be confirmed by one's behavior. Once aroused, stereotype threat can have a number of disruptive effects, among them the short-term impairment of intelligent thought and academic achievement. Over time, it can prompt defensive adaptations that have far-reaching effects, such as disengagement from activities or domains where the stereotype is relevant, which in turn can lead to impaired intellectual development. Stereotype threat thus can result in a self-fulfilling prophecy whereby a person comes to resemble his or her reputation, living up or down to social expectations. This article reviews the development of the stereotype threat construct from Steele and Aronson's (1995 ) original demonstration to investigations of its generality and mediators and to more recent studies focusing on strategies for reducing its negative effects.     

Religion and World Change: Violence and Terrorism versus Peace

Our article portrays religion as a double-edged sword that can both encourage and discourage world change, and can facilitate both violent and peaceful activism. The article demonstrates how the meaning system approach to religion can shed light on the complicated relationship between religion and world change by illuminating the meaning of world change and the means to achieve it, inherent differences across religious groups, the complexity and malleability of religious meaning systems, and processes that can facilitate either the status quo or violent and peaceful activism. The article discusses context and personality variables that may determine whether religion supports world change and either violent or peaceful activism. It recommends intensive collaboration between researchers, policy–makers, and religious leaders in the contexts of national and international conflicts and religious terrorism.     

The world population on the threshold of the 21st century

Global population trends are reviewed. The author rejects the idea that demographic factors exert a decisive affect on socioeconomic development, and maintains the Marxist-Leninist view that demographic trends are a reflection of socioeconomic systems. He suggests that the resources of the planet can support a larger population than it contains at present providing these resources are used rationally.     

Social security for the unorganized sector in South Asia

This paper discusses social security programmes for the disadvantaged elderly population in the unorganized sector in three South Asian countries: India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Owing to data constraints, the discussion is limited to social assistance, old age homes, and pensions. The analysis suggests that both the State and private voluntary organizations have played only a limited role in providing social assistance in old age. The outcome is inadequate coverage and funding for the programmes designed to assist older persons. Because of rapid ageing, if the current situation is allowed to prevail, the outcome will be even less promising. Increased coverage and funding will require greater focus on achieving higher economic growth rates and improving the fiscal management of public expenditure.