Implicit Association Tests
Take one (gender, age, race, sexuality, disability, or weight) of the Implicit Association Tests (IAT) at the Harvard University website.
Address the following:
Examine how attitude is formed.
Discuss how personal implicit biases can form understandings at a local, national, or global level.
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the IAT as a research tool.
Reflect on your personal results from the IAT.
Use three to five scholarly sources to support your thinking, your textbook can be used as one of the resources.
Sample Answer
Attitudes are learned predispositions to respond favorably or unfavorably to a person, object, or situation. They are formed through a variety of factors, including:
- Direct experience: Our own experiences with people or groups can shape our attitudes. For example, if we have had positive experiences with people of a certain race, we are more likely to have positive attitudes towards that race.
- Indirect experience: Our attitudes can also be shaped by the experiences of others. For example, if we see our parents or friends treating people of a certain race negatively, we are more likely to develop negative attitudes towards that race.
- Media: The media can also play a role in shaping our attitudes. For example, if we are constantly exposed to negative stereotypes about people of a certain race, we are more likely to develop negative attitudes towards that race.
Implicit Biases and Understandings
Implicit biases are attitudes or beliefs that we hold about a particular group of people that we are not consciously aware of. They can be formed through the same factors that shape our explicit attitudes, but they are often more difficult to change.
Implicit biases can have a significant impact on our understandings of people and groups. For example, if we have an implicit bias against people of a certain race, we may be more likely to interpret their behavior negatively. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.