To conform or not to conform: Experimental evidence on stereotypes and stereotype congruence in the context of hate crime against Asian women

Abstract

Objectives This study evaluates public responses to bias-motivated sexual assault against Asian women, focusing on the roles of pre-existing stereotypes of Asian women and victim stereotype congruence (including trait stereotype congruence and country of origin). Methods We use OLS and logistic regression to analyze results from a vignette experiment embedded in a national YouGov survey ( N = 1,300). Results Respondents were more likely to categorize offenses as hate crimes, less likely to blame victims, and more likely to punish perpetrators when victims were stereotype congruent. Pre-existing stereotypes of Asian women were associated with greater likelihood of hate crime categorization and victim blaming. Conclusions The public is less sympathetic toward Asian women victims who violate stereotypes, while pre-existing stereotypes of Asian women may also reduce concern for victims. Future efforts are needed to reduce the multi-dimensional stereotypes of Asian women.