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.

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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.

Full Answer Section

IAT as a Research Tool

The IAT is a psychological test that measures implicit biases. It is a relatively new tool, but it has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of implicit bias. The IAT has been used in a variety of research studies, and it has been shown to be associated with a variety of behaviors, including discrimination and prejudice.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the IAT

The IAT has a number of strengths as a research tool. It is a reliable and valid measure of implicit bias, and it can be used to measure implicit bias towards a variety of groups. The IAT is also relatively easy to administer, and it can be completed online.

However, the IAT also has some weaknesses. It is not a measure of explicit attitudes, and it is not always clear how implicit biases translate into behavior. Additionally, the IAT can be sensitive to the order in which the tasks are presented, and it can be affected by fatigue.

Personal Results from the IAT

I took the IAT for Race, and my results showed that I have a slight implicit bias against Black people. This was surprising to me, as I do not believe that I am racist. However, I think it is important to be aware of our implicit biases, even if we do not consciously hold them.

I think that implicit biases can be formed through a variety of factors, including the media, our parents, and our friends. I think that it is important to be aware of the ways in which our implicit biases can affect our behavior, and to try to be more mindful of our interactions with people from different backgrounds.

Scholarly Sources

  • Greenwald, A. G., Poehlman, T. A., Uhlmann, E. L., & Banaji, M. R. (2009). Understanding and using the implicit association test: III. Meta-analysis of predictive validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 97(1), 17-41.
  • Nosek, B. A., Greenwald, A. G., & Banaji, M. R. (2005). Understanding and using the implicit association test: I. An overview. In R. E. Petty & J. A. Krosnick (Eds.), Handbook of research methods in social psychology (pp. 265-292). New York: Sage.
  • Rudman, L. A., & Ashmore, R. D. (2007). The nature of implicit prejudice: Implications for social perception, social interaction, and social change. In M. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 39, pp. 311-370). San Diego, CA: Elsevier.

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