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The prematurity stereotype: Empirical evidence and implications for practice
Author(s) -
Stern Marilyn,
Hildebr Katherine,
Karraker T.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
infant mental health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1097-0355
pISSN - 0163-9641
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0355(199021)11:1<3::aid-imhj2280110102>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - stereotype (uml) , psychology , developmental psychology , intervention (counseling) , context (archaeology) , set (abstract data type) , stereotype threat , perception , empirical evidence , social psychology , psychiatry , paleontology , neuroscience , computer science , biology , programming language , philosophy , epistemology
The prematurity stereotype is defined as a set of biased beliefs about infants who are identified as having been born prematurely. This article reviews studies that have explored how this prematurity stereotype may negatively influence adults' perceptions of, expectations for, and behavior toward premature infants. The findings from these studies are considered in the context of more general knowledge about how expectations can influence behavior and result in self‐fulfilling prophecies. Recent research designed to investigate how prematurity stereotyping can be reduced also is described and evaluated. Finally, the implications of this program of research for intervention with parents of premature infants and suggestions for future research directions are discussed.