Back to IAT
Looking back at the topics we discussed this semester, Implicit Associations Test (IAT) was the most interesting for me. Actually in my LAMP X333 class this semester, we had a group presentation over the book "Blink." I was hoping to post my Power Point from this presentation to this post to inform everyone of the additional information that our group found. However, I do not think attachments are possible on Blogger. If you know how to do that, please let me know.
Anyway, here are some of our findings:
1. What does the IAT mean? If you test poor, are you a bad person?
Absolutely not. It is important to note that our attitudes on certain topics operate on two levels. First, we have our conscious attitudes. This is what we choose to believe. Second, our attitude on an unconscious. Like a giant computer, our unconscious silently crunches all the data and it forms an opinion. This is what is coming out of the IAT.
2. Does this matter?
It is debated, but according to our L416 class discussions, it matters in interviews if your potential employer has biases that they are not aware of. Everyone has to critical and knowledgeable of social constructs and media influence.
3. What can we do about our unconscious discrimination?
a. We first have to be aware of our bias/prejudices/stereotypes.
b. Is it ethical or moral for an employer to be required to take the test?
c. Our impressions are generated by our experiences and our environment - which means we should change our impressions. It requires that we change our life. This is similar on how to make IU more diverse. Surround yourself with a culture your not familiar with. Put yourself in the minority in counter-bias situations. It is important to change the way you think!
Just to end with, I think it would be fantastic if an individual from another culture or another country took this test...just to see the differences they have. How di
Anyway, here are some of our findings:
1. What does the IAT mean? If you test poor, are you a bad person?
Absolutely not. It is important to note that our attitudes on certain topics operate on two levels. First, we have our conscious attitudes. This is what we choose to believe. Second, our attitude on an unconscious. Like a giant computer, our unconscious silently crunches all the data and it forms an opinion. This is what is coming out of the IAT.
2. Does this matter?
It is debated, but according to our L416 class discussions, it matters in interviews if your potential employer has biases that they are not aware of. Everyone has to critical and knowledgeable of social constructs and media influence.
3. What can we do about our unconscious discrimination?
a. We first have to be aware of our bias/prejudices/stereotypes.
b. Is it ethical or moral for an employer to be required to take the test?
c. Our impressions are generated by our experiences and our environment - which means we should change our impressions. It requires that we change our life. This is similar on how to make IU more diverse. Surround yourself with a culture your not familiar with. Put yourself in the minority in counter-bias situations. It is important to change the way you think!
Just to end with, I think it would be fantastic if an individual from another culture or another country took this test...just to see the differences they have. How di
posted by nschutz at
6:09 PM
1 Comments:
Thanks for these insights. I also belief it is not only important that we expose ourselves to more 'diverse' environments but that we actively interact with people in them. One thing Gladwell really emphasized was the fact our experiences with people we might have an implicit bias against have to be positive in order for them to change our IAT. Therefore on campus and among a diverse group of students, we have to take the initiative and talk, get to know, and have positive interactions with people who are different from ourselves.
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