After watching the Opera interview on Malcolm Gladwell, I decided to take the Implicit Association Test that was described in his book and in the interview. I wasn't shocked because I kind of knew where the test was going but at the same time, I was kind of perplexed. I had thought I had given a preference towards black people (on the conscious level) but perhaps the way I answered the test was a bit confusing. Interesting though- I wouldn't consider myself a racist, but as Gladwell suggests, the environment is paramount. If you grew up seeing a certain racial group portrayed in a negative manner consistently, then more than likely your subconscious may associate that racial group in that manner even though on the surface and deep down, you treat people as equally as possible.
I took another IAT test but this time it was the Asian American ('Asian - European American' IAT).This IAT requires the ability to recognize White and Asian-American faces, and images of places that are either American or Foreign in origin.
Strange- I always had a strong idea that whites were more American than Asians, but the test indicates otherwise. Anyway, this was a better result but perhaps it is the test. HA!
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