In social psychology, self-stereotyping (or autostereotyping) is a process by which an individual integrates and internalizes commonly held characterizations (i.e. stereotypes or prototypes) of an in-group into their self-concept.
[4] According to SIT, group membership is most likely to influence self-concept and self-esteem when the cognitive processes of identification and categorization interact.
Research suggests that members of low-status groups attribute ingroup characteristics to the self via a deduction-to-the-self process.
[10] In contrast, it has been suggested that members of high-status groups tend to project their personal characteristics onto their ingroup using an induction-to-the-ingroup cognitive strategy.
[20] Furthermore, implicit gender self-categorization has been identified as a key mechanism underlying the tendency of women to self-stereotype.
The effects of environmental factors on self stereotyping among low status groups has been studied in gay men.
[23] If the individual believes that the group's needs are different from their own, they may have to adapt his/her self-representation in order to maintain membership within the in-group.
A study investigated the effect that self stereotyping had on bisexual people’s self esteem, identity uncertainty, mood, and stress.
[24] Members of low status groups may experience prejudice, discrimination, and stress which may negatively impact their physical health.