IAT AND PREJUDICE

The Implicit Association Test (also known as IAT) “measures the strength of associates between concepts (e.g., black people, gay people) and evaluations (e.g., good, bad) or stereotypes (e.g., athletic, clumsy)” (Harvard University, 2011). The IAT tests the way we perceive people (by nationality, religion, culture, or appearance) in our everyday life. You must quickly sort categories of age (young and old), weight (fat or thin), nationality (black or white), or religion as quickly as you can by pressing a specific key on a computer keyboard. You will, then, categorize descriptive words that represent good or bad. In the third round, you will be given a category (such as age) and evaluations (good or bad); you will press multiple keys to sort the items given. The test relies on the speed of the person to sort the words. There are implicit and explicit stereotypes tested as well. In my experience, I have taken two tests. My first test was nationality (black or white). I received results that I did not expect. As a black woman, I expected my results to either be in favor of black people or to be in equal favor with black and white people. I resulted in showing favor towards white people. It revealed to me that I was uncomfortable or nervous around black people who looked suspicious or violent. I was more comfortable around white people than black people. Those results were mind blowing, but true. It changed my perception. The second test was on weight. It tested if I had a prejudice towards thin or fat people. My result was true and exactly what I expected. I showed no bias towards either fat people or thin people.

Social Psychology deals with social interactions, including prejudices and stereotypes. According to Merriam Webster, prejudice is “preconceived judgements” and “[an] irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics” (Merriam Webster). Prejudice against race and religion can negatively affect someone’s ability to function or their levels of productivity. Someone may have a prejudice on Muslims, declaring that all Muslims are terrorists. Most prejudices are incorrect. The American Psychological Association displays examples of prejudice: “people rate groups such as homeless people, drug addicts and poor people low on both warmth and competence, prompting them to feel disgust. In contrast, they rate elderly people, along with the disabled and developmentally challenged, high on warmth but low on competence, prompting them to feel pity” (2004). Prejudice often lead to the feelings of regret, doubt, self-pity, worthlessness, and anger. We rely on prejudice to judge those who interact with us. Prejudice are detrimental and either decrease or increase self-confidence.

“Project Implicit.” About the IAT, 2011, implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/iatdetails.html.

“Prejudice.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prejudice.

Chamberlin, Jamie. “What's behind Prejudice?” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, Oct. 2004, www.apa.org/monitor/oct04/prejudice.aspx.