Implicit Association Test

[allyndra]

I am fascinated by the Implicit Association Test from researchers at Harvard. The point of it is to get at the attitudes, conscious or unconscious, that we hold about race, gender, sexuality, disabilities, and more. I find the tests themselves interesting, but even more, I wonder about the post-test impact on people who take them. If their results suggest that they have, say, a preference towards whites over blacks, do they take that info and work to change? Shrug and say, "What the hell, white people actually are better."? Get mad and claim that the test is screwed up and inaccurate?

I took the one about Sexuality, and my results indicate a "moderate preference toward gay people over straight people." Which is interesting, but considering my hobby is imagining fictional characters in gay relationships, perhaps not so surprising.

If you would like to take any of the tests, the link is here.

Comments

[roxy-palace.livejournal.com]

That sounds really interesting. I don't know why, but I'm always facinated by psych tests of any kind. This one sounds particularly engaging...

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

It really is very interesting. I can't help wondering what kind of results they get from the other data they collect (like, about how aware you are of your' physical reactions to emotion and how receiving your results affected you).

Stuff like this that makes me wish I could set up experiments and surveys.

[roxy-palace.livejournal.com]

Yes. I did the Young Old test and it seems I strongly prefer young people to old people...which is odd.

I wonder how the test is influences by being tired though? I found it quite hard to get orientated.

Anyway, I was not that surprised by the result.

I've been thinking about doing a psych degree actually...Night school beckons...

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

Well, I suupose that would affect your personal results, but since the order is chosen randomly, it wouldn't affect the overall outcome of the study. And as scientists, they are vastly more concerned with the corpus of data than with the individuals taking the tests.

I've been thinking about doing a psych degree actually...Night school beckons... Really? That's awesome! I'm fascinated by psychology, but I have no desire to actually practice it, so it wouldn't be a worthwhile thing for me to study. But I'm a big advocate of pursuing your passion, so if your passion is psych, I say go for it!

[roxy-palace.livejournal.com]

Yes, not the overall results...and perhaps without my conciosu thoughts being totally in control I answered more honestly?

yeah, I've been thinking about taking some psych papers for a while. It's just something I find myself coming back to time and time again...It's not something I'd like to do professionally, but it would enrich my life I think...make me a better writer, thinker...maybe?

hey, how are you doing anyway? It's seems like forever since we last chatted! It's lovely to chat with you again!

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

It's seems like forever since we last chatted! It has been ages. Are you recovered from your computer debacle? It sucks so bad when things like that happen; we rely on our computers so much.

I'm doing well. Family insanity abounds, but otherwise life is going pretty smoothly.

How are you in general? Happy? Sad? Training for marathons? Relaxing at home? Picking up tattoed guys? Swearing off men for life? *g* Any of those things?

[roxy-palace.livejournal.com]

*Looks around for check box marked 'all of the above', shrugs*

Things are pretty good.on the whole. Doing a mini marathon on Sunday I am freaking out about because I'm not prepared. Here's hoping I don't keel over with heat stroke.

I have spent the past computerless week pining for McShep porn...Man it sucked.

Back at it today though!

[sublimatedangel]

Ooh, those are really neat - thanks for the link. And yeah... I also wonder about the post-results reaction. For those people who aren't surprised by their results, I don't think you'd see much reaction, but for those who believed one thing about themselves and then find out another... it seems like it would be very challenging to alter your subconscious beliefs, but I like to think people would try.

[allyndra.livejournal.com]

it seems like it would be very challenging to alter your subconscious beliefs, but I like to think people would try. I would like to believe that, too. But it actually takes a little effort, which tells me I'm growing cynical in my old age. In any case, I had fun with the tests and with seeing how the results break down.