Implicit_Association_Test

ETH125 After completing the Implicit Association Test (IAT) the data indicated that I had a moderate automatic preference for African American compared to European American. According to the description interpretation of the exercise if I responded to the European American faces and good words were classified with the same key than when African American faces and good words were classified with the same key then my automatic preference was for African Americans. The interpretation also suggest that depending on the magnitude of my result, my automatic preference may be described as ‘slight’, ‘moderate’, ‘strong’, or ‘little to no preference’,. I disagree with the test and believe it has no merit as to how an individual views one particular group over another. I think it is difficult to accurately measure prejudice because of government mandated laws in workplaces. I believe if employers were not required by pacific laws to practice discrimination laws we would see a more accurate display of prejudice, for example if an employer really did like African Americans or Hispanics he would never have to hire them, but because of these laws they have too. I do not believe sociologist can accurately measure prejudice because of government mandated laws as well as racial profiling. For example if a black person is driving a BMW in a predominately poor black neighborhood that is known for drug trafficking they most likely will be pulled over by police. Even though police are strongly warned against this practice it is stereotypical for law enforcement to do so.