Which one of the Mod Squad did you like the most? Was it because of some particular quality they had? Or are you just racist? Sexist maybe? Would you like to find out?
I don’t think the researchers behind Project Implicit would agree with the summary I’m about to make. But the Harvard based study is basically a way to see where your true feelings lie. Racist, sexist, elitist… whatever your particular “ism” or “ist”, they’ve got a test to detect it.
In one test you identify good and bad terms with pictures of black people and white people. At the end, it tells you where your preference lies. For instance, I was informed of my “moderate preference for black.” Having spent a huge part of my life involved in hip-hop music, that didn’t shock me. Nor did my “strong preference for Democrats” on the political test I completed [though the pictures of Al Gore and John Kerry gave me pause (think I don't like losers)]. On the other hand, I had no idea that I preferred dogs over cats.
It’s fun, and if you’re in denial about any of your prejudice, bias, or implicit associations, maybe even educational. Enjoy.
