Having completed the IAT Race test, I was shown to have moderate bias towards Western Europeans compared to African Americans. This surprised me, seeing as I'd always thought of myself as an unprejudiced person who believes strongly in racial, religious, and gender equality. However, knowing what I do about psychology and having read the information on the roots of bias, discrimination, and stereotypes given on the website, I realize I probably should not be so shocked at my results.
The website references the media and one's community as influences on our unconscious biases. From my own experience, I have seen television and media try to combat racial bias, but not highly effectively. I remember one particular emphasis on including more women of Asian descent in the fashion and modeling industries, and how many brands were accused of bias towards white models. I read fashion and women's magazines frequently and have seen that they are dominated by white women with my own eyes. It is no wonder that, with this blatant preference shown by the media, people have hidden biases.
In addition, I have lived my entire life in a community in which white people of European descent are the vast majority. Because I interact with these people much more than African Americans, I may have developed biases subconsciously due to what the website describes as in-group vs. out-group bias.
I hope that these biases do not influence my choices and actions, as I've said, I consider myself as an unprejudiced and accepting person. Now that I know they exist in my subconscious, I will make an even greater effort to avoid stereotyping and bias as they occur in everyday life.
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