Whistling Vivaldi

This book summarizes Claude M. Steele's groundbreaking research on stereotype threat, which occurs when individuals are aware of negative stereotypes about their group and fear confirming them.

Steele illustrates this concept through various studies and personal stories, including the story of Brent Staples, who whistled Vivaldi to counteract the stereotype of African-American males as violent.

The book delves into how stereotype threat affects performance, particularly in academic and professional contexts, and suggests small interventions that can reduce these threats and narrow achievement gaps.