Implicit Association Tests
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Jan 9, 2024
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Implicit Association Tests Tyria Foster
College of Humanities and Social Sciences,
Grand Canyon University
PSY-530: Social and Cultural Psychology Mark Segraves
April 5, 2023
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An appraisal of a subject or object is what we mean when we talk about having an attitude toward it. Attitude is a psychological concept. It may be favorable, unfavorable, or neutral, and it has the potential to affect behavior with regard to the thing or person being assessed. (Ajzen, 2012). Personal experiences, interactions with others, and the impact of one's culture all play a part in the intricate process that is the formation of attitudes. Implicit personal biases not only contribute to the formation of attitudes but also have the potential to lead to discrimination on all levels, whether they be local, national, or global. The usage of hidden Implicit Association Tests (IAT), which were created by academics at Harvard University, is one
method that may be utilized in the process of measuring hidden biases. In this article, I will study
how attitudes are created, describe how personal implicit biases might develop understandings at different levels, assess the benefits and drawbacks of using IAT as a research instrument, and reflect on my own results after completing an IAT test focused on sexuality. Attitude Formation Attitudes are formed through a combination of various factors, such as personal experiences, socialization, and cultural influences. Attitudes can be positive or negative and can influence behavior towards certain individuals or groups. Personal experiences are significant in shaping attitudes since an individual's interaction with others can shape their perceptions of the world around them. Socialization is another factor that shapes attitudes where individuals learn certain beliefs and values from family, peers, and the media. Cultural influences also play a role in attitude formation as different cultures have varying beliefs, norms, and values (Ajzen, 2012).
For example, if an individual grows up in a culture where it is acceptable to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation, they may develop negative attitudes towards
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individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. On the other hand, if an individual grows up in a culture that promotes acceptance and equality for all sexual orientations, they may develop positive attitudes towards individuals who identify as LGBTQ+.
Personal Implicit Biases
Personal implicit biases are attitudes or assumptions that individuals hold about particular
categories of people that they do not consciously recognize as being held (Greenwald & Krieger, 2006). These prejudices are frequently the result of social messages that are transmitted through depictions in the media or cultural practices. They have the potential to shape individuals' views, which can then lead to discriminatory action. Personal implicit biases can form understandings at
local, national, or global levels because they shape how individuals perceive others and make decisions about them. Implicit biases can influence hiring practices, housing policies, criminal justice outcomes, healthcare access, and educational opportunities. For example, studies have shown that implicit racial biases can result in discriminatory policing practices towards minority communities (Godsil et al., 2014). Similarly, implicit gender biases can lead to unequal pay for women in the workplace (Moss-Racusin et al., 2012). Thus, understanding one's own implicit biases is crucial for promoting fairness and equity in society.
Understanding may be formed on several levels by the personal unconscious biases of individuals. Personal implicit biases can impact an individual's behavior toward persons with specific traits, such as race, gender, or sexual orientation, on a more local level. These characteristics include gender, race, and sexual orientation. For instance, police officers who unknowingly hold unfavorable attitudes about African Americans may unintentionally treat African Americans differently than white persons during traffic stops or arrests if they believe that African Americans are more likely to commit crimes.
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At a national level, personal implicit biases can contribute to systemic discrimination in institutions such as the criminal justice system and the education system. Biases held by those in positions of power can perpetuate disparities in access to resources and opportunities for marginalized groups.
At a global level, personal implicit biases can contribute to social inequalities between countries. These biases often manifest as stereotypes that one country holds about another country leading to prejudice and discrimination against citizens from other countries.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the IAT as a Research Tool One strength of the IAT is its ability to reveal implicit biases that may not be apparent through self-reporting methods. Additionally, it is easy to administer online, making it accessible
for large-scale studies even across geographical locations.
Despite its strengths, the IAT has several weaknesses. Firstly, the results may vary depending on the context in which it is administered; hence, researchers need to ensure consistency in presentation method and instructions given during administration for accurate results. Secondly, some critics argue that the test does not provide sufficient evidence that the measured associations correspond to actual behaviors exhibited by participants (Blanton et al., 2009). Results from the IAT
Taking the sexuality test on the IAT, my results showed a moderate association between heterosexuals and positive words. This result is not surprising, as it reflects the cultural norms and values that shape attitudes towards different sexual orientations. However, it does not necessarily reflect my personal attitudes or beliefs towards individuals with different sexual orientations.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, attitude formation is a complex process influenced by several factors, including personal experiences, socialization, and cultural influences. Personal implicit biases contribute to
discrimination at all levels, whether local, national, or global. The IAT has been used as a research tool to measure implicit biases; however, it has its strengths and weaknesses, which researchers should consider when interpreting results.
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References
Ajzen, I. (2012). Attitudes and persuasion. In K. Deaux & M. Snyder (Eds.),
The Oxford handbook of personality and social psychology
(pp. 367–393). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195398991.013.0015
Blanton, H., Jaccard, J., Klick, J., Mellers, B., Mitchell, G., & Tetlock, P. E. (2009). Strong claims and weak evidence: reassessing the predictive validity of the IAT.
Journal of applied Psychology
,
94
(3), 567.
Godsil, R. D., Tropp, L. R., Goff, P. A., & Powell, J. A. (2014). Addressing implicit bias, racial anxiety, and stereotype threat in education and health care.
The Science of Equality
,
1
(November), 1-90.
Greenwald, A. G., & Krieger, L. H. (2006). Implicit Bias: Scientific Foundations.
California Law Review
,
94
(4), 945–967. https://doi.org/10.2307/20439056
Moss-Racusin, C. A., Dovidio, J. F., Brescoll, V. L., Graham, M. J., & Handelsman, J. (2012). Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students.
Proceedings of the national academy of sciences
,
109
(41), 16474-16479.
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