Are You A Racist?
Depot
The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
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<div class="IPBDescription">Take this test and see</div><a href="https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/selectatest.html" target="_blank">Go here</a> and Click on "Demonstration" first and then click on "Go to the Demonstration Tests" and after clicking on "I wish to proceed" you should see the button for "Race IAT".
This test, part of Harvard's Project Implicit, tests to see whether you have a preference for European or African heritaged peoples. It may reveal something about you that you didn't consider.
Basically, you hit keys on different sides of your keyboard when certain words or pictures come up. The speed in which you generally respond to these words/pictures measures your level of preference for the race.
My results, "Your data suggest little to no automatic preference between African American and European American."
This test, part of Harvard's Project Implicit, tests to see whether you have a preference for European or African heritaged peoples. It may reveal something about you that you didn't consider.
Basically, you hit keys on different sides of your keyboard when certain words or pictures come up. The speed in which you generally respond to these words/pictures measures your level of preference for the race.
My results, "Your data suggest little to no automatic preference between African American and European American."
Comments
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><b>
Race IAT</b>
Race ('Black - White' IAT). This IAT requires the ability to distinguish faces of European and African origin. It indicates that most Americans have an automatic preference for white over black<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><a href="http://www.projectimplicit.net/about.php" target="_blank">What is Project Implicit?</a>
Project Implicit is a Virtual Laboratory for the social and behavioral sciences designed to facilitate the research of implicit social cognition: cognitions, feelings, and evaluations that are not necessarily available to conscious awareness, conscious control, conscious intention, or self-reflection. Project Implicit comprises a network of laboratories, technicians, and research scientists at Harvard University, the University of Washington, and the University of Virginia. The project was initially launched as a demonstration website in 1998 at Yale University, and began to function fully as a research enterprise following a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health in 2003.
<u><b>There are five broad objectives for Project Implicit:</b></u>
<b> 1. Develop methodological and technological innovations to advance psychological research on the Internet.</b>
The most significant challenge for conducting efficacious research on the Internet is in the creation of an effective laboratory setting that (a) ethically administers research protocols including consent and debriefing, (b) provides ample security for the privacy of participants and their data, © institutes adequate design tools of the study setting to maximize the impact of the independent variables, (d) minimizes the presence of external elements that disrupt the experimental procedures and introduce error into research designs, and (e) explores tools beyond the standard survey.
<b>
2. Develop an interface for researchers without significant technical expertise, to use Project Implicit virtual laboratory research (VLR) tools.</b>
The slow growth in the number of psychologists using the Internet for research purposes may be explained, in part, by uncertainty about its methodological strengths and limitations. Additionally, there are serious and intimidating technical challenges that precede the development of an effective VLR design. While surveys are relatively easy to create and administer via the web, more sophisticated experimental protocols require a new generation of tools and resources than those available to most psychologists. A major component of Project Implicit is to develop an effective virtual experimental environment and implement tools that will enable psychologists to pursue experimental research on the Internet.
<b> 3. Provide an impetus for theoretical and methodological innovation for research on implicit social cognition.</b>
The methodological tools and procedures proposed in Objectives 1 and 2 are expected to have significant impact on future directions. With only the framework of a virtual laboratory complete, data from existing demonstration and research websites have already formed the basis of multiple papers, contributed data to others, been presented at numerous conferences and colloquia, and provided critical supplements to research from the traditional laboratory. Research via the Internet can expand the size and potency of the researcher's toolkit including increased access to very large samples, flexibility of research design, the ease of data collection, and provides a global reach. These qualities provide a source of data that enables broad confirmation and extension of findings from other sources, and enables investigations that are simply not possible in the traditional laboratory. An important advantage of Internet-based research is the increased opportunity to examine subject populations that are more diverse and harder to reach than students in Introductory Psychology. Data collections on the Internet that allow drop-in visitors will not produce samples that are representative of any definable group (e.g., the U.S. population). It will, however, provide samples of much greater diversity in age, education, country and state of residence, and even ethnicity than do the samples that typically form the basis of psychological research and interpretation. In addition, the Internet can provide access to samples that would not otherwise be recruitable to the traditional laboratory because of (a) small numbers (e.g., Cantonese/Spanish/English tri-linguals), (b) proximity to the laboratory (e.g., students during summer recess), or © brief windows of opportunity for data collection (e.g., attitudes of patriotism on the 4th of July, attitudes of patriotism on this 4th of July).
<b> 4. Integrate education and research missions at Project Implicit demonstration and research websites.</b>
The original impetus for our foray into Internet research was education and dissemination of a tool to learn about implicit attitudes and knowledge. The overwhelming response to the website, and its continued use in education (in both secondary and post-secondary school settings), business, diversity training, law enforcement, and casual settings suggests that there is value and interest in it across a variety of educational settings. Through the websites, we promote the value of psychological research by providing an opportunity to participate in and contribute to on-going research while simultaneously learning about the fruits of related research efforts. Although numbers are not the only criterion, it appears that the website offers an experience that is interesting enough that hundreds of thousands of individuals have visited it and remained sufficiently engaged to complete full tasks.
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5. Analyze and archive the massive databases from the demonstration websites.</b>
Since the first demonstration website opened in September of 1998, over 3.5 million tasks have been completed providing the largest database on implicit attitudes and knowledge currently available. The topics include preferences for ethnic and racial groups, religious groups, sexual orientation, gender, stereotypes of race and crime, gender and science, and ethnic-national links. These data have produced unique findings and have served as the basis of multiple papers. However, we have only scratched the surface of the potential value of these data in confirming laboratory effects, allowing extensions of findings to specific samples, and imagining novel investigations that are possible because of the unique features of these datasets (e.g., very large sample sizes, large numbers of members of minority groups).<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I took it and agree with Tycho. I "scored" the same as <b>depot</b> fyi. If it had told me something else I might have actually lent it more credence. I know I have a preference for white people. I don't think its racist to feel more comfortable around people that look like me.
Yes it may be due to other factors but is still an interesting test to see what your unconscious mind perceives people of various colours as, which is known by the common phrase as racism <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> Since this is just testing your unconscious, you can may never act racist in real life. If you are in a situation where you have time to react, your conscious brain will kick in and act on what you think your beliefs are, but for that 0.5 seconds your unconscious may be thinking something else (and yes, this is due to environment, etc).
Did you or anyone else notice the other tests that they have?
Comprox has finally made the argument I was (apparently too subtly) prodding for: What this test has to do with prejudice. I'm certain it could've been done using less insults (or at least more sophisticated ones), but there it is.
I think he is wrong: Predilection is not prejudice.
The test can show a preference for one race or the other. That's the language the test uses. The test doesn't say "you're racist if you don't score in the middle." It doesn't say so because the people who MADE it recognised that it is much subtler and more complex than that.
Racism is denying someone education because they're hispanic. Racism is forcing someone to the back of the bus because they're black. Racism is claiming that all who are not of the "aryan race" are inherently inferior. Racism is NOT a mere subconscious preference. Don't rob the term of meaning by using it where it doesn't fit.
But you are correct, this test does not show active racism in any fashion, just preferences to certain people. The book I mentioned before, shows how this is not a problem 99% of the time but can be an issue if you are made to make a snap decision. One example it shows is a police officer seeing a black guy pulling something out of his pocket. The situation did not provide much information that it would be a gun, but he still shot (turned out to be his wallet, or keys, I can't remember and yes, it was from real life). So while people may be good most of the time, this test can show you have a preference which can rear it's ugly head sometimes.
It is human nature to want to be around other people like you. That's natural for all creatures. It does not equal racism.
I mean, the test is just so blatantly incorrect on so many levels that it's comical to take something like this seriously. The word 'racist' is so effective in altering behavior because of the incredible negative connotation to it that people aren't afraid to use that word nonstop for anything pertaining to race.
<!--QuoteBegin-"http://www.theforbidden-zone.com/info/trivia.shtml"+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE("http://www.theforbidden-zone.com/info/trivia.shtml")</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The actors portraying three distinct species in Planet of the Apes -- gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans -- were so affected by the make-up that when not shooting, the actors would self-segregate within their simian groups. In fact, Kim Hunter (Zira) and Maurice Evans (Dr. Zaius) were good friends, but rarely saw each other because they were of different "species."<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It is human nature to want to be around other people like you. That's natural for all creatures. It does not equal racism.
I mean, the test is just so blatantly incorrect on so many levels that it's comical to take something like this seriously. The word 'racist' is so effective in altering behavior because of the incredible negative connotation to it that people aren't afraid to use that word nonstop for anything pertaining to race.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think you're being a little harsh on the test calling it blatantly incorrect. You'd be better off assigning the label to Depot, who brought up racism, instead of the test, which, as lolf has pointed out, did not.
Very true, the test is not flawed -- it becomes flawed when used as an indicator of racism. My bad. I misspoke.
It is human nature to want to be around other people like you. That's natural for all creatures. It does not equal racism.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You sure have a funny definition of what constitutes racism. How is preference of one race over another not racism?
But you are correct, this test does not show active racism in any fashion, just preferences to certain people.
[...]<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I stand corrected, my apologies to lolfighter and the rest.
In all fairness, this got blown out of proportion.
<!--quoteo(post=1688795:date=Sep 24 2008, 08:01 PM:name=Underwhelmed)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Underwhelmed @ Sep 24 2008, 08:01 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688795"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You sure have a funny definition of what constitutes racism. How is preference of one race over another not racism?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Depends entirely on what "preference" means. Could mean attraction. I am attracted to women, not men. That doesn't make me sexist. If I have a similar preference for a particular race, that doesn't make me racist.
It may not make you sexist in the sense that you believe that women should stay barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen, but discriminating by sex is by definition sexist. I'm not passing a moral judgment here, I'm just stating that decisions/judgments based upon race/sex are racist/sexist.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If I have a similar preference for a particular race, that doesn't make me racist.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes, it does. Whether or not it's ethically acceptable is another debate.
<i>My god.</i> You <i>actually</i> think preference of one race over another is racism?
It's this exact 'off-the-chuff' or 'light usage' of the word 'racist' that often makes race such a prevalent issue. In our culture that word is a quick way to make someone go on the defensive while making yourself seem holier than thou and since it's become commonplace to throw that word around people do.
I was thinking about typing some long winded thing, but to make this short and sweet: Racism is generally a hate towards a certain race or a belief that you're race is superior. Preference between races is in no way shape or form related to racism. If you disagree, or can't see that, we'll just have to agree to disagree because this subject is something I get easily worked up about/frustrated with when dealing with people who think so lightly of the word.
It's this exact 'off-the-chuff' or 'light usage' of the word 'racist' that often makes race such a prevalent issue. In our culture that word is a quick way to make someone go on the defensive while making yourself seem holier than thou and since it's become commonplace to throw that word around people do.
I was thinking about typing some long winded thing, but to make this short and sweet: Racism<b>, as the term is generally used,</b> is a hate towards a certain race or a belief that you're race is superior. Preference between races is in no way shape or form related to racism. If you disagree, or can't see that, we'll just have to agree to disagree because this subject is something I get easily worked up about/frustrated with when dealing with people who think so lightly of the word.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Emph mine.
<b>Underwhelmed</b> is just trying to be semantic about it. And getting it wrong (to some degree).
The original use of Racism was in regards to the belief that your race made you who you are, and that base characteristics of humans are assigned because of our race, and that one of these races is superior. (Basically what <b>SentrySteve</b> just said)
Many people also use it as simply defining any pre-judging based on skin tone, which is not necessarily 'bad' always.
Problem is that both definitions are accurate these days (look up the definition and you will hit both). I (Like <b>SentrySteve</b>) try to keep the term racist for those people that honestly are, dyed in the wool, Racist (kill the ##### they are lazy good for nothing slobs that just steal our jobs!). Every one else is just prejudiced, (or a little bit racist) and any one that denies it is deluding them selves.
*hums a certain song from Ave Q*
racism <i>noun (disapproving)</i><ol type='1'><li>the unfair treatment of people who belong to a different race; violent behaviour towards them</li><li>the belief that some races of people are better than others</li></ol>
I really don't see how a subconscious preference or a greater attraction to some people based on skin colour or other racial features, by themselves, constitute racism. You may of course, if you wish, dispute my (and the Oxford Dictionary's) definition of racism. As it stands I think it's apt, though.
The word racism is far too loaded to be applied casually, and the more loosely we define it the more people it applies to. Again, this cheapens the term, robs it of meaning. Considering how ugly a concept it describes, we can't allow the word to lose its meaning. If we go around calling everyone racist, we become desensitized to the expression. I don't want to go there.
1. This test can show a <b>prejudice</b> against a certain group of people
2. It does not show a person has racism against them.
3. A person must ACT upon those prejudices for them to be racist. Either overtly (name calling) or covertly (hiring the white guy for the job, and coming up with another reason why)
Fine line, but an important one <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
1. This test can show a <b>prejudice</b> against a certain group of people
2. It does not show a person has racism against them.
3. A person must ACT upon those prejudices for them to be racist. Either overtly (name calling) or covertly (hiring the white guy for the job, and coming up with another reason why)
Fine line, but an important one <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or a prejudice FOR a certain group of people.
Here's a nice little piece from the WSJ on the topic: <a href="http://www.adversity.net/FRAMES/Editorials/58_We_Are_All-Racists.htm" target="_blank">http://www.adversity.net/FRAMES/Editorials...All-Racists.htm</a>
1. What if you discriminate people based on geographic location and their salary, would you end up being a racist?
2. What if you believe that a race has little impact on a person's capability and behavior, but accept that someone's culture has a huge impact on those factors. And then you look at African Americans wearing baggy clothes (a cultural element) with contempt, are you a racist?
<!--quoteo(post=1688918:date=Sep 26 2008, 10:44 AM:name=aNytiMe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aNytiMe @ Sep 26 2008, 10:44 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688918"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->1. What if you discriminate people based on geographic location and their salary, would you end up being a racist?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Salary, no. That's classism. If by geographic location you mean nation then yes racism. If by location you mean ghetto then that's classism again.
<!--quoteo(post=1688918:date=Sep 26 2008, 10:44 AM:name=aNytiMe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aNytiMe @ Sep 26 2008, 10:44 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1688918"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->2. What if you believe that a race has little impact on a person's capability and behavior, but accept that someone's culture has a huge impact on those factors. And then you look at African Americans wearing baggy clothes (a cultural element) with contempt, are you a racist?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'll answer this with a question: would you look on a muslim wearing a turban or burka with contempt also? How about a person dressed in Carhart overalls and a flannel shirt?
Islam does not call for any sort of head wrap for men, turbans are actually more of a Hindi thing (well, Sikhs).
Not to say that there are not Muslims who wear turbans/head wraps, but it has nothing to do with the religion <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
However yes, what locally said is basically what it comes down to, though geographical location could also be classist to some degree (people from the south are all dirty rednecks, as I don't think I can get away with calling southerners a different race <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />).
Here's a nice little piece from the WSJ on the topic: <a href="http://www.adversity.net/FRAMES/Editorials/58_We_Are_All-Racists.htm" target="_blank">http://www.adversity.net/FRAMES/Editorials...All-Racists.htm</a><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Good article from the WSJ.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Know it or not, we are all vessels of racial bias.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Does this mean my title is politically correct?
I could really care less about the definition of racism, tbh. I judge all people by their character when I'm valuing my pre-judgement of trustworthiness -- which is what is really in question when we worry about racism; the possible consequences of misguided prejudice, not the definition itself. For me, everybody has a default trust level with me until their actions influence me to trust them more or less (and it's exponentially harder to gain trust with me & exponentially easier to loose it); I really doesn't matter what you look like to me, or if your even human for that matter. (assuming equivalent sentience, of course)
So to answer your question, no, I don't feel I qualify as racist -- or visa versa you could say nobody is neutral which really just voids racism from being a dysphemism at all -- possibly rendering all measurement of offensiveness or injustice as pointless.
Thus whether the perspectives of SentrySteve or Underwhelmed are correct is quite irrelevant in terms of "Are you racist?", is it not? I mean, doesn't it matter only in as far as the consequences causing injustice? And furthermore, how can such a thing even be truly judged if it is insignificant or merely in the confines of one's mind? Perhaps this is why such detailed semantics of moral debate typically to bore me. *shrug*
Just my two cents. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />