I have taken a few Implicit Association Tests as a participant in psychology studies before, but I have never seen the results. Because of this, I was surprised to see some of my results. As a POC myself, I had assumed that I was exempt from partaking in implicit bias. However, the results of these tests show that I exhibit a slight preference towards certain populations. I was a little surprised by this, and I hope to actively learn how dismantle the implicit bias I hold.
I was also very surprised to see that I had a slight preference towards certain groups as well. Knowing this, I want to learn more about how I can improve on the biases I hold. I am glad that I took these tests just to gauge where I stand on implicit bias.
When I first started taking the tests, I was just so worried about seeing the red X for getting something wrong and doing it as fast as I could. But as I worked through each test, I saw the implications of the words and images. I found it hard to compete with my internal dialogue and complete the tests. Internally I was warring against the "correct" answers and reluctantly clicking. But it was enlightening to see how the responses were easier and harder to pick out. How bias infiltrates a person to the deepest parts to inform behavior, thought and ultimately action.
Yeah, that to me is where a lot of the power of these tests come from. You viscerally feel your subconscious between your fingers and the keyboard.
As a white guy who grew up in a very conservative, racist, and agricultural part of the United States I experienced a lot of my bias first hand when I lived in Jamaica for two years while serving in the Peace Corps. It was humbling how much of that crap had been interwoven into my subconscious. Coming out of high school I thought I was this enlightened person because I was a registered democrat and didn't use racial slurs "seriously." We all have our healing journeys to walk. I know that as uncomfortable and painful as the healing process is, it is well worth it. Taking these tests for the second time in my life showed me my growth and also how I am not done working to be less biased.
I know that in many things most of us have bias. I was happy to know in a few areas I expressed no preferences for either thing (I took more of the tests than was asked for). I was a nervous about the race and ethnicity tests, as a white woman I expect to have some automatic bias just because I grew up in the South, even though I am very liberal. I was again hoping to get a neither/no preference. I instead had slight to moderate bias against white people, favoring POC. I don't really know how to feel about that, I don't want to discriminate against any race. I think that these are stressful times and I just see white people doing things I don;t agree with or bad things that disgust me. I just want to make things right.
While completing the various tests, I reflected on the many experiences that I have had with people of nationalities and backgrounds. As an introvert, I am reluctant to engage with people I am unfamiliar with, which oftentimes leaves me to lose opportunities to meet new people. My initial response when interacting with people of another culture is that I may not have a common interest or experience of which to discuss. After engaging with students of various ethnic backgrounds, I feel more comfortable interacting with people of various cultures because I understand their cultural norms and can engage in conversations much easier.
My experiences with various students and staff have allowed me the opportunity to learn and admire some cultural differences and appreciate the love of life through dance, song, expression, and laughter. There is so much to learn and appreciate the various cultures that make up our United States.
I think the point of these tests is not for us to correct what is wrong with us, but to make us aware of how we perceive things and that none of us are truly objective. As a white male, whose social circle is mostly white and when I encounter other groups it is almost always in situations in which I am comfortable. So these are a reminder for me to understand that while I rarely feel uncomfortable that I still am bringing a set of biases with me that I need to consciously fight against. And when I am uncomfortable, it is very likely not for warranted reasons but rather for some preconceived notions I have in my head and I need to fight those as well.
Well Said.
With my results I was not surprised. I did the one of the Arab Muslims test and found that I equally view Muslims and Arabs to others
What was your experience like completing the Implicit Association Tests? Did you feel stressed? Anxious? What were your thoughts while reading your results? Were you surprised? Upset? Or, were your results what you expected?
I felt very uncomfortable because I know I had bias based on the views I learned about race and ethnicity growing up. As a POC from the Caribbean living in the US, I was informed by varied and sometimes competing views of race and culture. Although my responses did not represent any slight bias of one group over another, there were a few questions I declined to answer, so the results weren't likely entirely accurate. I was afraid of having bias, especially as someone in education. It reminds me that the more you learn about people and the world, the more understanding you have, and the more you question preconceived notions or assumptions, and that's where you learn. It's not about being the perfect person or even being a pure person. It's a matter of being aware, making adjustments to our thinking where necessary, and realize that life is a journey, and we are always learning from each other. I don't see the point of condemning people for having unintentional bias if we are willing to learn, be more aware, and understanding. Maybe we won't have perfect understanding but at least we can try.