The role of stereotypes in housing discrimination toward exonerees: A test of the counter-stereotype framework.

OBJECTIVES: Formerly incarcerated individuals experience stigma and discrimination postrelease. However, little is known about the mechanisms driving discrimination toward exonerees. The goal of the current research was to investigate the effect of stereotype endorsement and the mitigating effect of counter-stereotype information on housing discrimination toward exonerees. HYPOTHESES: We expected distinct stereotype profiles for exonerees and releasees (Study 1); discriminatory rental decisions toward exonerees (Study 2); stronger stereotype endorsement to predict lower willingness to rent (Study 3); and counter-stereotype information to improve rental decisions and attitudes (Study 4). METHOD: = 551) examined the mitigating effect of counter-stereotype information on rental decisions and attitudes. Study 4 sent 818 randomized rental inquiries to capture real landlords' replies and availability to a control applicant or an exoneree described with counter-stereotype, individuating, or no additional information. RESULTS: Study 1 identified distinct stereotype profiles, with exonerees associated with paternalistic prejudice and releasees with contemptuous prejudice. In Study 2, stronger endorsement of releasee stereotypes predicted lower willingness to rent. In Study 3, participants made more favorable rental decisions and expressed more positive attitudes toward exonerees and applicants described with counter-stereotype rather than stereotype-congruent information. In Study 4, control applicants were more likely than exonerees to receive a reply and to be told the apartment was available, though landlords were more likely to indicate availability when exoneree inquiries included counter-stereotype information. CONCLUSIONS: Exonerees and releasees are stereotyped differently, and these stereotypes differentially predict housing discrimination. Providing counter-stereotype or individuating information can reduce, but does not eliminate, housing discrimination, underscoring the need for stigma-reduction efforts and policy reform. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).