Implicit Bias
Examples of Explicit Biases/Stereotypes
- both men and women hold the belief that men are better in leadership positions - women are angrier around a particular time of the month - women are more emotional - women are allowed more gender fluidity - men are better at math, and with their hands - little boys cannot dress up as princesses
Implicit biases are
- widely held - contradict our explicit beliefs - favour the ingroup (but not always) - NOT fixed, malleable
Dearth of Women in Orchestras
1970s - 5% of instrumentalists are women 1990s - 30% of instrumentalists are women
Moss-Racusin et al., 2012
Science faculty's subtle gender biases favour male students. Identical applicant, half male name half female name. Male reported as more competent.
Controlled Cognitive Process
Intentional and voluntary
Example of a bias
asking teenage girls to be babysitters
Stereotypes cause
biases
Implicit biases in children
children respond faster to stereotype congruent conditions than in the stereotype incongruent conditions
Explicit Bias
consciously and deliberately report. May not been seen as a bias.
Implicit bias test reveals that
cultural biases are so ingrained it is easier to associate certain negative connotations with particular groups Have to work harder to break these associations
Biases are largely based on
cultural stereotypes
Gender stereotypes are
descriptive and prescriptive
Implicit biases are obtained by
direct experiences, family upbringing, pervasive cultural stereotypes, and media influences
Despite waning explicit biases
evidence for implicit biases still remains
Biases
exhibiting a preference/inclination/partiality to someone or something
Middle school age
explicit biases stated that girls are better at arts and boys are better at math
Gender Blind Auditions
in the 70s, auditions were live and in person. Now occur behind a screen on a carpeted stage
Are implicit biases merely concealed?
no, you are truly unaware of your implicit biases
Female professors of colour are
scored even lower than their white female colleagues
Sorting objects is easiest when
stereotypes are congruent e.x. insects and flowers
Implicit Association Tests
test to uncover implicit associations
"The Brain's Blindspot"
the opinions that you hold, that you are not aware of, that impact your actions and decision making
In University, you can see implicit biases in
the ways in which students fill out profession evaluations. Female professors are scored lower. Less prevalent in female dominated departments.
Unconscious Biases
unintentional involuntary not using attentional resources
Orchestra judges had
very strong implicit biases that suggested men were better musicians
Implicit biases are often found to be according to
widely held cultural stereotypes and according to ingroup
Stereotype
widely held oversimplification of a group based on pre-existing ideas in society e.x. asian boys are better at math