What you can’t see can hurt you: How does stereotyping, implicit bias and stereotype threat affect Māori health?

Abstract

A number of studies demonstrate Māori receive a poorer standard of healthcare than Pākehā and other non-Māori in New Zealand. Implicit bias on the part of healthcare providers has been cited as a key contributor to health inequities internationally; however, the concept has not yet been explored in relation to Māori health. This paper addresses that research gap and describes a theoretical basis for further research on the role of bias for Māori health outcomes. Drawing from empirical research and theories formulated in social psychology, the paper considers the relevance of implicit bias, stereotyping and stereotype threat for Māori health outcomes. These have not been integrated and applied to the problem of Māori health inequities per se; however, it is proposed that they provide a useful conceptual lens for understanding how interpersonal dynamics between Māori and Pākehā help perpetuate health disparities. Suggestions for further research are also made.