Test: Implicit Association Test (IAT)

I’m interested in exploring unconscious biases using the Implicit Association Test (IAT).

What the Test Measures:

The IAT measures implicit associations, which are automatic thoughts and feelings we hold about concepts. The IAT does this by measuring reaction time to categorize stimuli (words, faces) paired with positive or negative words. Faster reaction times indicate stronger associations between the paired concepts.

Validity Considerations:

1. Criterion-Related Validity (Concurrent/Predictive):

• Concurrent: IAT scores on racial bias might correlate with self-reported racial bias, but not necessarily with actual behavior towards different races.
• Predictive: High implicit racial bias scores might correlate with future discriminatory behavior towards certain racial groups.

2. Group Differences:

• People with a history of prejudice towards a particular group might show a stronger implicit bias on the IAT compared to those without such bias.
• Cultural differences in social etiquette and expression of emotions could potentially influence IAT results.

3. Convergent & Divergent Validity:

• Convergent Validity: IAT scores on racial bias should correlate with scores on other implicit bias tests that measure similar constructs.
• Divergent Validity: IAT scores on racial bias should not strongly correlate with tests measuring unrelated constructs, like general intelligence or personality traits.

By examining these validity aspects, we can gain a better understanding of the IAT’s effectiveness in measuring implicit biases and its limitations.