Would you consider yourself to be prejudiced against people who are different from you? Most of us would say no. But in the late 1990s, researchers created a test to measure biases that may be hidden from our conscious minds. Millions of people have taken it since, and not everyone likes what they’ve discovered. This week, we launch a two-part look at implicit bias with psychologist Mahzarin Banaji. We ask how is it that we can hold negative stereotypes — without being aware of them.
To learn more:
For more exploration of our unconscious beliefs, listen to psychologist Emily Pronin on what she calls the “bias blind spot.”
Additional Resources
Book:
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People, by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald, 2013.
Research:
Implicit Bias among Physicians and its Prediction of Thrombolysis Decisions for Black and White Patients, by Alexander R. Green et al., Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2007.
The Development of Implicit Attitudes: Evidence of Race Evaluations from Ages 6 and 10 and Adulthood, by Andrew Scott Baron and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Psychological Science, 2006.
Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes, Self-Esteem, and Stereotypes, by Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Psychological Review, 1995.
Implicit Gender Stereotyping in Judgments of Fame, by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1995.
Becoming Famous Overnight: Limits on the Ability to Avoid Unconscious Influences of the Past, by Larry L. Jacoby et al., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1989.
Grab Bag:
Mike Pence and Tim Kaine discuss implicit bias during the 2016 vice presidential debate
Podcast:
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Newsletter:
Go behind the scenes, see what Shankar is reading and find more useful resources and links.