What is the main effect of stereotype threat on individuals?

The main effect of stereotype threat on individuals is indeed immediate negative effects on performance. Stereotype threat refers to the anxiety or concern individuals may experience when they are at risk of confirming negative stereotypes about their social group. This threat can lead to heightened stress and distraction, which in turn can impair cognitive functioning and performance in various tasks, such as academic tests or job interviews.

When individuals are aware of a stereotype that suggests they might not perform well in a certain domain, the pressure of potentially confirming that stereotype can lead to decreased confidence and increased anxiety. This distraction often results in poorer performance compared to their actual capabilities, thus confirming the negative stereotype in a self-fulfilling prophecy manner.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept of stereotype threat. For example, performance enhancement, increased confidence, or resilience in the face of challenges are not characteristics typically associated with the experience of stereotype threat; rather, they describe outcomes that might be sought after or encouraged through positive interventions, but not through the experience of stereotype threat itself.