Transmitting stereotype-relevant information in conversation: Evidence from Chinese undergraduates

In the field of communication, previous researchers who employed the serial reproduction method have mainly used written communication and fictional story assessment techniques. To extend the literature, we conducted 2 studies to explore the communication of stereotype-relevant information using the face-to-face oral serial reproduction method. A research report containing stereotypical information about Tchambuli men (Study 1, N = 40), and a fictional story containing stereotypical information about a football player (Study 2, N = 40), were transmitted through 10 separate chains involving 4 people each. Results in both studies showed that people transmitted more stereotype-consistent than stereotype-inconsistent information, regardless of whether they were retelling a research report or a fictional story. Thus, face-to-face oral serial communication contributes to the maintenance of shared stereotypes.