UNCONSCIOUS PREJUDICE

"... A skin darker than another is more likely to fetch a bullet and if lucky, merely increment to a lifetime of minor abuses."

Dr. Mahzarin R. Banaj, a renowned Harvard psychologist, performed an experiment using a form of empirical methodology that utilizes measurable data between conscious and subconscious decisions to analyze innate prejudices.

The experiment she introduced to the class used to demonstrate basic conflicts between our conscious and subconscious can actually be found at the following website:
http://www.justriddlesandmore.com/colortest.html. It is a common test that many have experienced but should have the same effects if done multiple times.

The reason I am so intrigued by this topic is because I feel that it is extremely important for everyone to be aware and vigilant in the pursuit of an egalitarian mindset when making decisions. It is imperative that we accept and recognize our implicit prejudices in order to counter the conflict between our conscious and subconscious. This way we can combat these tendencies especially when they are most potent in the split second decisions or when emotion may be innately clouding our unbiased judgments.



There were a few findings that were quite interesting to me. For one, the experiment’s data has proven that the subconscious beliefs are more likely to be opposite that of the conscious beliefs in the most unusual circumstances. Our conscious beliefs tend to be pro groups that are disadvantaged, but our implicit subconscious beliefs are generally in conflict with these feelings. This combination of conflicting beliefs could lead to incrementally regressive and biased behaviors. Also, ethnocentrism understandably plays a role in one’s implicate prejudices on employs. This also plays a minor, yet important role in subconscious prejudices. There is a tendency for individuals to favor others that have relatable characteristics. We should all recognize the elaborate mechanism that our subconscious and conscious play in influencing our actions.

Once we realize this as a problem infiltrated throughout America we must look at how this problem can be reduced or eliminated. Recognizing prejudices in our legal system, our vocational recruitment strategies, our educational system and our everyday interactions can be subject to highly imperfect and biased techniques. Anthony Kronman, the Former Dean of Yale Law School posed the question of whether or not we should impose a system that test implicit prejudices and individual’s vigilance to utilize equal judgment. Obviously there are constitutional rights that must be upheld but in choosing jurors or police officers or politicians whom play a significant role in the American justice system does not seem so eccentric. For the price of inevitable injustice the American system is challenged with, a system of this nature could be a worthwhile investment.

Time to relocate??

I have realized that I have not been able to find my niche here in the city of Orange County in beautiful, sunny southern California. There are so many things that I've learned growing up in Southern California that I have grasped a genuine appreciation for, yet so many adversities that contribute to my unequivocal desire to leave and make some other community my own.

Growing up in San Bernardino with a fairly balanced demographic only to transfer to Irvine an hours and a half away proved to be an important learning experience through self-discovery for me as well. Both cites have stark differences and it has really been interesting learning about myself through the location, demographics, socioeconoic status, etc. of where I've lived. There are positives and negatives to each locale, but applying the pros to my future lifestyle of complete independence and a family of my own is what I hope to do in successfully choosing where and when I will migrate upon graduating UC, Irvine.

The people present themselves as more sincere and simple in San Bernardino. There was a noticeable minority population and my peers seemed to be faced with the day to day challenges of the average American. Things such as crime, budgeting finances, preparing for an independent, yet uncertain future were common and evident from my peers. The death of my next door neighbor confirm for me the notion that we must cherish every aspect of life while wasting time on petty differences and the things that seperate us only preserve a more difficult lifestyle. California's demographic is very unique and there are many surprises to most individual you will meet in California. The residence of Orange County on the other hand are very similar but as expected there is a threshold of acceptace in much of the community. This is common in many communities as most individuals tend to not prefer to get too close with individuals they share nothing in common with. Unfortunately for me, the vibe illuminating from the residence of Orange County are in general more exclusive and secluding as opposed to the personalities in other areas of southern California.

The point of this article is not to generalize Orange County residence or compare one group against another; we all have our own perspectives of what should be. I am only applying the lessons that I have been able to learn and teach myself growing up have been pronounced in the differences in location based on variables such as demographics, socioeconoic status, and nuances in the general population.

Study Abroad; A Perfect mix of school and culture or Satus Symbol

As I try to get by in college and I learn more and more about the social construct of students I realize just how similar things are to the real world. As expected, there are nuances differentiating between the two groups pulled from a variety of aspects, but the foundation of our social structure and our inate characteristics that influence us to fit in with the higher ranks follows closely with college students and adults alike.

Take Study Abroad programs for example. The programs can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Who has that kind of money, you might ask. Well, since most college students don't work full time only to spend most of their income on a summer, study abroad program worth only 4-8 units, and financial aid will rarely assist with something of this nature, the funds must come from somewhere else; Parents. There is no doubt that study abroad is an amazing experience that one should cherish forever. The excitement and the "once in a lifetime" type of feeling radiating from the idea of such an experience is exactly why so many people are drawn to it as opposed to the actual purpose of the experience itself.


It can be validly argued that everone has a different reason for studying abroad. This is true in every sense. My argument stems from the personal experience talking to and understanding the many peers that I have known who have gone, or want to go on a study abroad program. I feel that it is human nature to want to experience a different culture and broaden one's understanding of the world and of other people. The majority of students that I speak to spend most of their times enjoying the cultures and have a blast experiencing new things. They feel that it was one of the best trips of their lives. Then when the question arises what exactly did you do? Often it consist of the similar American past-times except in a different counrty. Traveling from town to town with a couple good friends, food, drinks, some tourist attractions and predominantly living the nightlife to the fullest or drugs or even forms of sex. If all the cool kids were adamantly against the study abroad program for any reason, participation would drastically decrease. That value would be lost and so would the pepole interested in it for reasons no other than its "buzz".

I was actually suprised to see a few of my friends in the beautiful pamphlets and the very inviting information booklets until I realized that if I had the money I would do the same thing. Why not! Its a blast and I get to hang out with my friends. According to the INSIDE HIGHER ED, Michael (Mick) Vande Berg, vice president for academic affairs at the Council on International Educational Exchange, mentioned that those who were completely immersed in another culture (often individual students enrolled directly in a foreign institution) or those who spent most of their time abroad "hanging out with other U.S. students' suffered drops in intercultural development. "What these data show is that there's a real need for study abroad professionals to intervene in student learning," says Michael (Mick) Vande Berg. http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2007/02/21/abroad This attraction to experience the best in life and keep up with the highest ranking peers exist in all facets of our life and at all ages. I felt after thinking about why students are so infatuated with the studay abroad program and one argument that stuck was that the program has an underlying symbol of status. Obviously its prominence depends on a number of variables such as demographic, location, age, background etc. It still exist. Subtle, yet everywhere.