Summary of PC Anti-Racism Summer Series: The Psychology of Implicit Bias

Summary of Main Ideas and Concepts

The video titled "PC Anti-Racism Summer Series: The Psychology of Implicit Bias" features a lecture by Dr. Mendoza, a psychology professor, focusing on the psychology behind Implicit Bias, its implications, and strategies for addressing it. The session is part of a broader initiative aimed at educating the community about systemic racism and promoting anti-racist practices.

Key Concepts:

• Implicit vs. Explicit Bias:
  • Explicit Bias: Consciously detectable and easily expressed; often associated with overt acts of discrimination.
  • Implicit Bias: Operates unconsciously and is often unexpressed, influencing thoughts and behaviors without awareness.
• Intergroup Bias:
  • Defined as the affective (prejudice), behavioral (discrimination), and cognitive (stereotypes) components that contribute to bias against different social groups.
  • The terms "racism" and "sexism" are considered loaded, and "Intergroup Bias" is preferred for discussions about bias.
• Mechanisms of Implicit Bias:
  • Implicit biases stem from societal stereotypes that are learned and automated over time, affecting how individuals perceive and interact with different social groups.
  • These biases can lead to social inequalities and reinforce institutional discrimination.
• Microaggressions:
  • Subtle, often unintentional comments or actions that convey derogatory messages, which can invalidate the experiences of marginalized individuals.
• Stereotypes and Their Effects:
  • Stereotypes shape expectations and evaluations of individuals, leading to self-fulfilling prophecies and biased assessments in various contexts, including hiring practices.
• Strategies for Combating Implicit Bias:
  • Acknowledge Bias: Recognize that everyone has biases and reflect on personal behaviors.
  • Identify Bias: Learn to recognize what Implicit Bias looks like.
  • Motivation for Change: Create actionable plans to change biased behaviors and attitudes.
• Intergroup Contact:
  • Engaging with individuals from different backgrounds can help reduce bias, especially when interactions occur under conditions of equal status and shared goals.
• Multiculturalism vs. Colorblindness:
  • Emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing diversity rather than ignoring differences, which can lead to greater understanding and acceptance.

Methodology/Instructions for Addressing Implicit Bias:

• Step 1: Acknowledge Bias:
  • Accept that implicit biases exist within everyone.
• Step 2: Identify Bias:
  • Engage in learning opportunities, such as taking the Implicit Association Test (IAT), to uncover personal biases.
• Step 3: Motivation for Change:
  • Develop plans to modify behaviors and attitudes, recognizing that this is an ongoing process requiring reflection and adaptation.

Speakers/Participants:

• Maya Bailey: Moderator, Associate Professor in Biology, Incoming Director of the Feinstein Institute for Public Service.
• Dr. Mendoza: Psychology Professor, Faculty in Residence in the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Director of the Social Perception and Attitudes Lab at Providence College.

The lecture concludes with an invitation for questions, encouraging further dialogue on the topic of Implicit Bias and its implications in society.

Notable Quotes

— 06:20 — « I think those are very loaded terms that imply a certain intent behind people's actions that we are not always aware of. »

— 09:00 — « Implicit biases are things that are much harder to detect at a conscious level and they are also things that are often unexpressed unintentionally and more spontaneously. »

— 16:43 — « Implicit bias will reinforce the institutional biases that have been created as well as the explicit ones and that leads to social inequality. »

— 28:11 — « If there are stereotypes that exist about African Americans in our country, it might create a certain filter by which they are expecting this interaction to occur. »

— 36:30 — « Avoiding prejudice would be I'm going to go into a situation and not use stereotypes; the more you try to stop yourself from doing certain things, the more likely it is that these things will come back. »

Category

Educational

Video