Implicit Bias Test Analysis

To begin, for the two tests, I chose to take the Race IAT and the Weapons IAT. Before I took the Implicit Bias Test, I believed that I would have a slight preference towards White Americans, and that Black Americans would be most associated with weapons. The Implicit Bias Test was made to reveal our unknown biases, including prejudice. Some people may not realize they are cognitively prejudice, as they believe in stereotypes that state all Black people are “aggressive,” that they’re all in gangs, or even they’re less intelligent compared to White people. Other individuals may believe they see White and Black Americans equally without bias; although, by taking this test, their preference towards White Americans may be revealed. Or, based on
The Race IAT required me to associate bad words with Black people, good words with White people, and the other way around. My results unfolded as “Your data suggest no automatic preference between Black people and White people” (Project Implicit, 2011). Moreover, for the Weapons IAT, I had to associate White Americans with harmless objects, Black Americans with weapons, and vice versa. With this test, the feedback I received was “Your data suggest a moderate automatic association for Harmless Objects with Black Americans and Weapons with White Americans” (Project Implicit, 2011). After I have received both results, I retook the Implicit Bias Test several more times to ensure myself that my results were ultimately correct. Truthfully, I was baffled by my results. I was upset and eager to have equal views of all people, white or black, on both tests. I’m extremely relieved that just based on skin tone, I don’t have an automatic preference between White and Black Americans. Still, I’m still concerned as to how that could be. I began to reflect. Growing up as a child, my mom raised me as a Catholic, which is what would be considered the dominant community and the social norm in the religious aspect of society. Truthfully, she was also cognitively prejudice towards Black people, she believed the absolute worst about them.
Also, I am now able to label my mom’s attitude towards Black Americans, and possibly convey why she felt that way. As I reflect, I realized my implicit biases altered once I was well educated by my teacher in AP Literature and Composition. I am indeed more eager to be aware of my biases, and be well more aware of others. Sometimes, we can’t blame those around us for their prejudice attitudes; sometimes, we must be patient and be willing to help guide them into a newer and brighter