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.