Implicit Bias

Implicit Bias

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We learned in the Social Psychology chapter that stereotypes about groups of people are often unconscious (we are not aware that we have them) and automatic (we can’t avoid them even if we try). But it’s hard to imagine how this really plays out since it’s happening at a level below our conscious awareness! We tend to think of ourselves as having a lot of control over our thoughts and attitudes, so the notion that sometimes stereotypes might be out of our control can feel far-fetched or even uncomfortable.?

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Most of us also like to think of ourselves as “good people” who care about things like equality and fairness. No one likes to think that they may have negative stereotypes about a group of people, and since we want to feel positively about ourselves, we are often nervous about challenging ourselves to find out whether we may actually hold implicit negative beliefs about others.

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However, research shows that the more we are able to bring our automatic – implicit – biases to our awareness, the more we are able to prevent the prejudice and discrimination that might result from them. We may not be able to actually change our automatic stereotypes, but we can learn how to keep those stereotypes from affecting our behavior.

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One way to examine our implicit stereotypes is by taking the Implicit Association Test (IAT), which measures people’s implicit attitudes toward social groups. A second way to examine our implicit stereotypes (in case you are not convinced) is by completing the shoot/don’t shoot task. This task examines how fast and accurate one is to correctly shoot and not shoot an armed or unarmed person, respectively, depending on the target’s race.

To receive extra credit in this assignment:

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·????????Go to https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

·????????Read the disclaimer, and if you are comfortable with what you read, click “I wish to proceed”

·????????Click on the button that says “Race IAT” (feel free to complete others – these won’t count toward your extra credit though)

·????????Follow the instructions to take the IAT (Note: the data you provide about yourself is entirely optional and confidential. If anyone looks at the public data to do research, they only see anonymous data)

·????????Record your results (screenshot your results)

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·????????Go to https://psych.colorado.edu/~jclab/FPST/demo/canvas/testPrograms/st_v.1.html

·????????Complete the practice program by following the directions on the screen

·????????Complete the full demonstration

·????????Complete the feedback and demographic information

·????????Read the debriefing statement

·????????Record your results (screenshot your results)

After you complete the IAT and shoot/don’t shoot task, please respond to the questions below. You will be primarily graded on thoughtfulness. What this means is that answers demonstrating deeper thinking will be rewarded more points – these types of answers tend to be longer. This does not mean, however, that all long answers will receive full points – fluff is not thoughtfulness. ?

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Implicit Bias Assignment

1.?????In your own words, what were your results for each task?

The results presented in this case demonstrate a more substantial reflection of my behavior and character. On the contrary, this has also provided an overview of my internal reflection.

2.?????What is your reaction to your results (e.g., thoughts, feelings, emotions, concerns)?

The results have evoked an emotional feeling, especially considering my political and religious views. In other words, this has provided a better overview and understanding of my personality.

3.?????How did it feel to take the IAT? Could you “feel” yourself responding more slowly to some of the items than others? Explain.

The IAT covered a broader range of topics, including personal information, which remained a challenge when providing these information sets. As a result, this forced me to decline some of my personal information, such as finances and other complex family matters that I could not unanswered to my ability.

4.?????How did it feel to complete the shoot/don’t shoot task? Could you “feel” yourself reacting faster to some of the targets than others? Explain.

There were no difficulties, and the questions were moderate and well-presented based on their classification. Additionally, the questions were straightforward, providing a better, quicker way of answering them back effectively.

5.?????Do you think your results for each task are accurate? Why or why not?

The result presented in each task is accurate since I provided the information to the best of my knowledge, especially considering that most of the questions asked were moderate.

6.?????Are the results from the shoot/don’t shoot task in line with your IAT results (Note: Bias is determined by both inaccuracies AND speed: shooting armed Black men faster than armed White men is still a form of bias, even though doing so is the correct response)?

I totally agree with the results presented in this case, as African Americans are treated differently from white-armed men. The blacks are considered dangerous despite being armed. While armed White men may be tr4eated with a lot of decency, armed black men are considered extremely dangerous even if the weapon is carried for safety reasons.

7.?????Why do you think you got the results you did? For instance, if you demonstrated an implicit bias, where do you think that bias came from? If you did not demonstrate a bias, why do you think that is? (Note: Most people demonstrate bias)

Most of the information in this test combined personal information, which was readily available, making filling in for the results easier. On the contrary, numerous statistical inflation on racial profiling provided better support for the results.

8.?????Do your results align with how you think of yourself and your racial attitudes?

My result is not motivated by racial profiling but rather by the racially motivated events that seek to undermine the rights of the minority. In other words, undermining the minority has remained a common practice that has forced many whites to join the union to support the minority communities in the nation.

9.?????Did your results change anything about how you plan to “be” in the world?

My results have not demonstrated any future presence of significant change but rather enforced my views on racially motivated concepts and lack of opportunities for the minority. As a result, the result has demonstrated a better understanding and overview of how racially motivated incidents can be categorized.

10.?Do you think your race contributed to your results? For example, if you are a person of color, do you think the results you found would have been the same if you were White? Were you surprised by your results?

Race may have played a massive role in my result, especially considering how people of color are treated. In this case, the results demonstrate a considerable contribution of racially motivated results, especially considering how black are treated differently compared to whites.

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