The Correlation Between Implicit And Explicit Racial Attitudes

Author(s)

Olivia C. Price

School Name

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School

Grade Level

10th Grade

Presentation Topic

Psychology and Sociology

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if there was a direct correlation between implicit and explicit racial attitudes. Racial biases are prevalent in many aspects of life, they are difficult to control and sometimes people are not even aware of these thoughts. The results from this study could help educate people about these racial disparities and reduce the harmful effects these attitudes may be exerting. In this study, participants are administered an Implicit Associations Test (IAT), that measures a persons implicit bias. The test is designed to detect the strength of a person’s automatic association between mental representations of objects in memory. In the racial IAT, words with both negative and positive connotations flash on the screen along with images of Caucasian and African American people. Participants are supposed to respond as quickly as possible without thinking, if the response time is too slow, there will be no results and the participant will be asked to retest. The hypothesis is if human subjects are given an Implicit Associations Test (IAT), then the results will indicate a direct correlation between implicit and explicit racial attitudes and a stronger preference for a persons’ own race/ethnicity will be shown. The results showed significance and supported the hypothesis. In conclusion, this experiment could prove helpful in the field of psychology because further knowledge of these implicit biases and how they correlate to explicit attitudes can be used to prevent the exertion of harmful effects.

Start Date

4-11-2015 2:00 PM

End Date

4-11-2015 2:15 PM

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 2:00 PM Apr 11th, 2:15 PM

The Correlation Between Implicit And Explicit Racial Attitudes

The purpose of this experiment was to determine if there was a direct correlation between implicit and explicit racial attitudes. Racial biases are prevalent in many aspects of life, they are difficult to control and sometimes people are not even aware of these thoughts. The results from this study could help educate people about these racial disparities and reduce the harmful effects these attitudes may be exerting. In this study, participants are administered an Implicit Associations Test (IAT), that measures a persons implicit bias. The test is designed to detect the strength of a person’s automatic association between mental representations of objects in memory. In the racial IAT, words with both negative and positive connotations flash on the screen along with images of Caucasian and African American people. Participants are supposed to respond as quickly as possible without thinking, if the response time is too slow, there will be no results and the participant will be asked to retest. The hypothesis is if human subjects are given an Implicit Associations Test (IAT), then the results will indicate a direct correlation between implicit and explicit racial attitudes and a stronger preference for a persons’ own race/ethnicity will be shown. The results showed significance and supported the hypothesis. In conclusion, this experiment could prove helpful in the field of psychology because further knowledge of these implicit biases and how they correlate to explicit attitudes can be used to prevent the exertion of harmful effects.