Implicit Association Tests

[Hitchhiker]

The news did a story on this and I thought it was pretty interesting. These are tests put together by Harvard pyschologists that measure your association of images and words with concepts to see if you are biased toward a particular concept.

The website is: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/

The tests are not "difficult," but your responses are supposed to be quick and rapid-fire, so as the test goes on I've found that I start to make more mistakes under the pressure.

Also, although it can be fun, the results aren't always going to be pleasing. As with any online test, these tests are not as accurate as ones performed in a laboratory, so don't expect the results to be completely reliable--I've gotten different results when performing the test more than once. But the tests are interesting . . . so if you feel like it, go ahead and try. Maybe you could even post your results.

I'm going to post my results even though they may not be what I wish them to be . . .

Old-Young IAT
1. Your data suggest a strong automatic preference for Young relative to Old
2. Your data suggest a strong automatic preference for Old relative to Young
In this case, the site suggests that I take the "middle" of the results . . . because they are both on different ends of the spectrum, I think my reaction time and the order in which the tests are administered is probably what affected it.

Gender-Science IAT
1. Your data suggest a moderate association between science and Male relative to Female
2. Your data suggest a slight association between science and Male relative to Female

Black People-White People IAT
1. Your data suggest Inconclusive result - too many errors.
2. Your data suggest a moderate automatic preference for Black People relative to White People
I'm fairly surprised with that result.

Canada-United States IAT
1. Your data suggest a strong automatic preference for United States relative to Canada
2. Your data suggest a slight automatic preference for United States relative to Canada
I'm kind of embarrassed by this one . . . the above results are definitely not what I expected.

Gay People-Straight People IAT
1. Your data suggest a no automatic preference for STRAIGHT PEOPLE relative to GAY PEOPLE
2. Your data suggest a slight automatic preference for STRAIGHT PEOPLE relative to GAY PEOPLE

Fat People-Thin People IAT
1. Your data suggest a moderate automatic preference for THIN PEOPLE relative to FAT PEOPLE
2. Your data suggest a slight automatic preference for FAT PEOPLE relative to THIN PEOPLE
Interesting, once again the conflicting results demonstrate how taking the test multiple times can lead to different results.

[zero]

Your data suggest a strong automatic preference for THIN PEOPLE relative to FAT PEOPLE

I don't think being overweight is uncontrolable. People (especially american's) are getting way too lazy. It's sad... really.

[Sam Kenobi]

Your data suggest a moderate automatic preference for White People relative to Black People

lol... oh... wait. None of you actually know me. I'll shut my mouth then.

[Puck]

I took these four, but these tests are annoying, so I had a difficult time forcing myself to do more.

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Your data suggest a strong automatic preference for Canada relative to United States

Your data suggest a moderate automatic preference for GAY PEOPLE relative to STRAIGHT PEOPLE

Your data suggest a strong automatic preference for THIN PEOPLE relative to FAT PEOPLE

Your data suggest a strong automatic preference for George W. Bush relative to Ronald Reagan


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Only one I can say that I reeeeally agree with is the Presidents one .

[madlilnerd]

I did the weapons one... it was hard and I keep making mistakes and catorgarizing a camera as a weapon! My result said:

Your data suggest a moderate automatic association between African American and Weapons

but that's because of African American gang wars, I think. My brother was playing Grand Theft Auto San Andreas yesterday and going round as a black person slaughtering people, so maybe it's engraved on my mind. And one black person I have regular contact with is very violent.

[Seven of Nine]

Your data suggest little or no automatic preference for Young relative to Old

OK Then... let's try another

Your data suggest little or no automatic preference for United States relative to United Kingdom

OK, is this going to happen for all the tests?

Your data suggest a slight association between science and Male relative to Female


I'm sure that's cos I thought Latin was science, for some weird reason Ah well

Your data suggest a moderate automatic preference for White People relative to Black People

OK, I'm fine with that... I don't actually know any black people at the moment, which might have something to do with it.

Your data suggest little or no automatic preference for STRAIGHT PEOPLE relative to GAY PEOPLE

Humm... ok

Your data suggest a moderate automatic preference for THIN PEOPLE relative to FAT PEOPLE

I personally believe that many fat people need help, as there must be a reason for them being that way. Ditto with overly thin people.

Your data suggest little or no automatic preference for Asian British relative to White British

OK, so I don't like blacks or fat people too much. Never mind... I can at least try and make sure it doesn't show.