hockenbury7e_quiz_ch12_quiz

Implicit Attitudes

Harvard University helps sponsor Project Implicit, a non-profit organization that investigates implicit social cognition—our thoughts and feelings that are outside of our conscious awareness and control. Project Implicit collaborates with researchers around the world in order to better understand practical applications for addressing diversity and improving decision making. To gain a better understanding of how researchers measure implicit attitudes, as well as your own attitudes toward certain topics, such as weight, race, religion, age, and gender, visit the following website: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html. You will be presented with some preliminary information and asked to click on: I wish to proceed. Next, select one of the implicit association tests listed on the website. Each test takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Using results from your test, answer the following questions:

Question 1

Describe the test that you completed.

Question 2

Why did you choose this test?

Question 3

Summarize your results. How did the program explain your results after you completed the test? Do you agree or disagree with the results? Explain your answer.

Review the textbook discussion of prejudice and implicit attitudes.

Question 4

How might implicit attitudes lead to stereotyping and prejudice toward certain groups?

Question 5

How do implicit attitudes differ from explicit attitudes? Which type of attitude do you believe is harder to change, and why?

Question 6

Most people who hold implicit biases are

unaware of their negative attitudes.

from Western nations, such as the United States.

fully aware of their negative attitudes.

also overtly prejudiced toward out-group members.

Question 7

Most psychologists agree that _______ biased attitudes is the first step toward overcoming them.

ignoring

hiding

becoming aware of

accepting

Question 8

Sean is going to college in the fall. He recently received orientation paperwork from his college that included some information about his roommate. Sean now knows that his roommate is 18 and from Austin, Texas. Sean has little experience with people from the South. He comments to his friends, “I bet this guy is a cowboy with a hat and a big belt buckle.” Sean’s comments are an example of

implicit attitudes.

hindsight bias.

a stereotype.

in-group bias.

Question 9

Levi believes that white people primarily hold implicit biases toward out-group members. Based on your textbook discussion of implicit attitudes, is Levi’s belief correct? Explain, citing research presented in your text.

No, Levi’s belief is not correct. Researchers have presented the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to over 10 million people around the world. Findings revealed that men and women, young and old, conservative and liberal, and all ethnic groups have social preferences for some groups over others. As such, they hold stereotypic associations or beliefs toward these groups. This suggests that social preferences are a general characteristic of human cognition.