Believing 'we are the best' can make it so

EXETER, England, April 22 (UPI) -- What people think of themselves and what other people think about them determines how people perform and what people can become, a British study found.

Researchers at the University of Exeter and St. Andrews University said the power of stereotypes to affect personal performance should not be underestimated.

The study authors argue that success or failure at work, at school or in sport cannot always be attributed solely to ability or lack of ability. For example, a woman who has been led to believe that women generally do worse than men at mathematics, will perform less well in a math test as a result, the researchers said.

However, belonging to a group that is always exposed to the message "we are the best" can promote personal achievement, the researchers said.

"The power of stereotypes should not be underestimated," Alex Haslam of the University of Exeter said in a statement. "As well as holding people back, stereotypes and preconceptions can boost both individual and group performance. While we're often told 'believe in yourself,' it can actually be more beneficial to focus on beliefs about your group, as group identity is a powerful vehicle for both personal and social change."

The findings are published in Scientific American Mind.