In light of the current tumultuous cultural climate of the United States, it could be helpful for students to examine the psychological concept of
Implicit Bias.
Implicit Bias.
- Audience: Resources seleceted and cultivated for Grades 11-12
According to social psychologist Susan Fiske, "We can identify the bare-faced bigots." However, Implicit Bias , prejudices that we do not consciously or knowingly acknowledge, are different.
Simply defined, implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Understanding this then begs the question;
Are the roots of prejudice hardwired for Human Beings?
Simply defined, implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
Understanding this then begs the question;
Are the roots of prejudice hardwired for Human Beings?
Annotated Text List
Interactive Websites
- Implicit Association Test: Want to know where your bias lies? This link takes the participant to the IAT, developed by Psychology Professors at Harvard University. The test seeks to measure a person’s strength of association between concepts of people and evaluations or stereotypes. The test is designed to measure the unconscious or implicit bias a person has toward a group of people. It is not meant to label people as bigoted or prejudiced;but can be a way to raise awareness of an individual's unconscious bias toward a particular group. There are several tests available and all results go toward ongoing research with the Implicit Project at Harvard University. https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
- The Bias Cleanse: Is there anything you can do about your biases? This website is for those who have acknowledged their implicit bias, but wish the change it. While it is important to note that there is no “cure” implicit bias, it could be helpful to students after taking the IAT to see that there are resources available that address implicit bias. http://www.lookdifferent.org/what-can-i-do/bias-cleanse
Articles
- The Do’s and Don’ts of Talking to Kids of Color About White Supremacy. How do we address these hot button issues with children? This article outlines techniques ,strategies and suggestions for how to discuss white supremacy with children and teens, written in reaction to the Charlottesville domestic terrorist attack. This could be helpful for teachers when discussing the extreme consequences of implicit bias with students. This could also assist the white students in gaining some perspective regarding issues that their classmates of color have to cope with.
- U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights: CIVIL RIGHTS DATA COLLECTION Data Snapshot: School Discipline. What evidence is there that implicit bias has an impact on our culture? This pdf shows a disproportionate discipline record toward black male students. This is included in the text set as it could be interpreted as empirical data showing possible, real-world effects of implicit bias. Incidentally, the Kern High School District is currently involved in a lawsuit regarding this very issue.
- Implicit bias: Is everyone racist? Is the IAT the final word on testing bias? This article discusses the origins and purpose of the IAT as well as reasons for the controversy surrounding the flaws in the test. By acknowledging the flaws in this test, students are aware that the test is not meant to a be diagnostic in nature; someone is not a bigot simply because their results show that they have a more positive attitude for one race over another. It is important for students to understand that identifying bias not meant to be accusatory. Rather, it is being aware of one’s own bias that allows it to be addressed. It is hoped that awareness of bias makes it less likely a person will behave prejudicially.
Videos
- Crash Course Psychology #39: Prejudice and Discrimination. Do you wonder why bias exists or how it may affect the world around you? This episode of Crash Course psychology discusses anecdotes of when Implicit Bias had an effect on human behavior. It also introduces viewers to social psychology concepts that explore factors that likely influence our responses to others. This video also explores the social, cognitive and emotional roots of prejudice, racism, sexism and how these impact our society.
- Born Good?Babies Help Unlock the Origins of Morality Is there any evidence that humans innately have bias? This segment from an episode of 60 Minutes showcases the research being done at Yale University’s “Baby Lab”. The research demonstrated implies that humans form ideas not only of justice but also ideas of “us” and “them” as early as three-months-old. Accoridng to the psychologists, the research indicates that bias is universal to humans, but that we can learn to reject or embrace this bias.
Interviews
- The Hate U Give' Explores Racism And Police Violence. Where did the author of The Hate U Give,Angie Thomas, come up with the inspiration for the characters and themes from the novel? This interview with the author of the anchor text discusses some of her intentions, thoughts, and hopes for the future related to the novel.
Recommendations For Further Reading:
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates — A beautifully written letter to his son, Coates’ novel won the National Book Award, the NAACP Image Award, and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. It talks about the history of systemic racism in America and relates it to areas in which these problems persist, including police brutality.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander — Published before the start of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, thisnonfiction title talks about the persisting problem of America’s overcrowded prisons, and how black Americans have been targeted and jailed more than Americans from any other racial group.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates — A beautifully written letter to his son, Coates’ novel won the National Book Award, the NAACP Image Award, and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. It talks about the history of systemic racism in America and relates it to areas in which these problems persist, including police brutality.
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander — Published before the start of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, thisnonfiction title talks about the persisting problem of America’s overcrowded prisons, and how black Americans have been targeted and jailed more than Americans from any other racial group.