Implicit Stereotyping

[Morkeliph]

I don't know if many of you have heard of implicit sterotyping, but there is a little study being done by Harvard on the subject. (https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/) Implcit stereotyping refers to those subconsciously held preferences (due to conditioning) that direct our behavior in subtle ways. There are 3 main types of prejudices:
Public: those that you openly admit and display.
Private: those that you keep to yourself but are aware of.
Implicit: those that you are unaware of.
An example of an implicit sterotype is a subconscious stigma against hispanics that causes you to avoid them without realizing it. There are many other examples we could conjure, but I'll let you figure those out for yourselves.

Anyway, is there a solution to implicit stereotyping? Is it just the inevitable result of socialization and learning through generalization and discrimination? What could we do individually or as a society to eliminate implicit stereotyping?

Feel free to follow the link in this post to take the test yourself or read more about this topic.

[GenocideAlive]

I can't believe they freaking closed your other thread; that seems a little ludicrous. I'm so confused as to what I can post to this one that I'm sort of at a loss. I took the test, but didn't like it because it seemed as though it was intentionally making itself confusing. I got so confused by Round 4 that I didn't really feel like trying anymore. What's with the mods locking threads these days? And the ... mod helpers or w/e...

[Yoda]

Actually this is a pretty interesting site. Its quite a good system on working out someone's subconscious. I can just picture it getting used, or something like it, by some people trying to analyse someone, or by some government in the future, which forces people to focus on "good" or something. I tried the Presidents one and got FDR to Bush, with overwhelming support going to FDR, not many suprises there. I also did the age one, and got it in moderate favour of young people over old people. But I didn't think that was me? Obviously I don't know myself entirely.

[Neo]

I can't believe they freaking closed your other thread; that seems a little ludicrous. I'm so confused as to what I can post to this one that I'm sort of at a loss. I took the test, but didn't like it because it seemed as though it was intentionally making itself confusing. I got so confused by Round 4 that I didn't really feel like trying anymore. What's with the mods locking threads these days? And the ... mod helpers or w/e...
Whiteknight figured it was kind of redundent to have 2 of the same threads on the forum. Is that really so hard to comprehend Genocide? Should we have left that thread open so that everyone would have to go back and forth between the two? I spose we could have like merged the two or something, would that have made it easier to understand?

I tried to take one of those tests, but it got really boring really fast, I mean what the hell? Its an interesting idea... but the tests are rather annoying. Most people know themselves well enough... Or at least I would hope so. I know I am not comfortable around hispanics, its not anything they've done, but I just don't like to be near them.

Then again, I dont to be around people in general, lol.

-Neo

[Nuts]

Anyway, is there a solution to implicit stereotyping? Is it just the inevitable result of socialization and learning through generalization and discrimination? What could we do individually or as a society to eliminate implicit stereotyping?
To remove implicit stereotyping would be to remove the human psyche. Everyone stereotypes one another. Short, skinny, fat, tall, Hispanic, black, bald, dirty, mean, happy, etc. These are all adjectives the stimulate stereotypes in all of us.

For instance, people might assume that a bald man would be less attractive to women or that a dirty man would smell badly, or a tall guy would be good at basketball. These are all stereotypes, some good, some bad. In the end, stereotypes are part of our rational minds. Why should we remove them?

I think the better question would be, "Is there a solution to negative reactions based on implicit stereotyping?" And the answer would be "no." Not unless we intend to place a police officer in every house in the nation. People will always stereotype one another and we will continue to make stupid decisions based on those stereotypes.

To paraphrase Carlos Mencia
"America is a big fraternity and in order to be part of our country, you gott'a be hazed. And since 9-11 its greek week for you Akmed"

"Its a big game of tag, and someone is always 'it'... on 9/11 Carlos, and Jamal, and Santiego walked over to Akmed and said 'tag... you're "it"'... deal with it" "

[GenocideAlive]

Whiteknight figured it was kind of redundent to have 2 of the same threads on the forum. Is that really so hard to comprehend Genocide? Should we have left that thread open so that everyone would have to go back and forth between the two?
Actually yes, it's not clear to me why it was necessary, but thanks for your condescending remark to my otherwise civil statement; it's really becoming of a mod when you can belittle people.

The two threads had very divergent intended content, and "having to go back and forth between the two" isn't like they'd have to climb six hills and go through ten doors, they just had to click twice. I don't know what harm the thread was doing, it otherwise served a purpose there. This one was for intellectual discussion of I.S., the other was for test results, and general tomfoolery.

[Nuts]

Please stay on topic. Thanks

[Neo]

Actually yes, it's not clear to me why it was necessary, but thanks for your condescending remark to my otherwise civil statement; it's really becoming of a mod when you can belittle people.

The two threads had very divergent intended content, and "having to go back and forth between the two" isn't like they'd have to climb six hills and go through ten doors, they just had to click twice. I don't know what harm the thread was doing, it otherwise served a purpose there. This one was for intellectual discussion of I.S., the other was for test results, and general tomfoolery.
This thread can be for both then. There was no reason to keep 2 threads on the same topic. If you can't understand that then we've reached an impass.

The next off topic post gets deleted. If you don't like the moderators or what they are doing, send a complaint to AJ.

-Neo

[Morkeliph]

Okay, I added the poll to this thread and apparently we're allowed to be "light-hearted" about the topic though it is in this forum. So this thread is open to both serious and non-serious discussion. Take the tests, tell us what you got.

Oh, and if possible, since this is now a much more broad thread, let's allow for some divergence from the topic before anyone closes the thread. Thanks! ;)

[Nuts]

Anyone that answers less than 6+ isn't being honest with themselves.

[Morkeliph]

Unless they expected to be stereotyped in most of the tests, and their expectations were accurate.


By the way, I totally agree with you about the impossibility of eliminating implicit stereotypes. I think stereotypes are just the result of learning through generalization, and like I stated before, can serve as functional short-cuts to valuable information when correct. Do you think we can reverse their effects though? Removing the stigmas we have against certain groups? Do you think that the media plays a large role in perpetuating current stereotypes and stigmas? It's an interesting topic that I think needs closer inspection and addressing.

[GrassDragon]

I took the Young-Old one and it said I "strongly preferred young to old." Surprise?

It's a cool idea though. Tonight I'll have my parents (and grandma since she's here for the week) take a few and see what they get. I almost don't want to take some of these for fear of what the result might be O_O

As for if there's a way we can "fix" stereotyping, I don't think there is. I really don't think there's a whole lot wrong with stereotyping, the stigma is the negative part. We cannot escape stereotypes because that's the way our mind works.

[Nuts]

I'm a firm believer that stereotypes exist due to an element of truth. So to say that I would be in favor of eliminating stereotypes would essentially mean that I am in favor of disregarding the truth in many cases. For instance, to say that blacks steal would be a stereotype. More accurately, we should preface this by saying that a larger percentage of blacks are caught stealing than any other race. This is a factual statement that would lead to the stereotype mentioned above. As with most assumptions (aka stereotypes) there is something that has occurred in the individuals lifetime that would justify that stereotype to some degree.

I think it would be difficult to remove a stigma or stereotype associated with racial groups when the minority (no pun intended) responsible for a particular stereotype continue to reinforce it.

[GenocideAlive]

I think it would be difficult to remove a stigma or stereotype associated with racial groups when the minority (no pun intended) responsible for a particular stereotype continue to reinforce it.
To a certain extent, I think it's a lot easier to "maintain" a stereotype than it is to create one. In a lot of instances people have to work "against" stereotypes in order to break even.

Ex: I'm currently in the process of leaving my Clan in WC because there are several kids in there that persist in either calling one another "******" or "nigga". I think it's offensive and I don't think it's appropriate. Some even go as far as to harangue me with the word because they know that I don't like it. I have said that I'm willing to leave the Clan if it's considered "O.K.".

They take this as an immediate threat, calling me hippie, ultra-conservative (weird contrast), asking me if I intend to change the world, or telling me that I'm not going to make racist people "not racist" and I'm wasting my time.

All of these are stereotypes that they have for people they've encountered resisting racism. Over and over they struggle with my reaction, because I'm not angry or pissy about it; I'm just willing to leave. I'm not trying to change anyone and I'm not trying to reverse a trend. I'm simply trying to state that I won't tolerate it, and that I don't have to.

When dealing with the root of their resistance and mine, I think part of the reason that they're trying to divine my motives is because I make them feel guilty. Sort of like when their mom would make them feel worse by not scolding them about bad grades, etc. I ultimately don't know, and wasn't particularly interested in "finding out". But I thought it perhaps pertinent to the topic. :p

[Uuugggg]

Those tests are bogus.

http://homepage.mac.com/doyle/bogus.png

[Yoda]

To a certain extent, I think it's a lot easier to "maintain" a stereotype than it is to create one. In a lot of instances people have to work "against" stereotypes in order to break even.

Ex: I'm currently in the process of leaving my Clan in WC because there are several kids in there that persist in either calling one another "******" or "nigga". I think it's offensive and I don't think it's appropriate. Some even go as far as to harangue me with the word because they know that I don't like it. I have said that I'm willing to leave the Clan if it's considered "O.K.".

They take this as an immediate threat, calling me hippie, ultra-conservative (weird contrast), asking me if I intend to change the world, or telling me that I'm not going to make racist people "not racist" and I'm wasting my time.

All of these are stereotypes that they have for people they've encountered resisting racism. Over and over they struggle with my reaction, because I'm not angry or pissy about it; I'm just willing to leave. I'm not trying to change anyone and I'm not trying to reverse a trend. I'm simply trying to state that I won't tolerate it, and that I don't have to.

When dealing with the root of their resistance and mine, I think part of the reason that they're trying to divine my motives is because I make them feel guilty. Sort of like when their mom would make them feel worse by not scolding them about bad grades, etc. I ultimately don't know, and wasn't particularly interested in "finding out". But I thought it perhaps pertinent to the topic. :p

You're kind of lucky that you don't have to put up with that in real life, but to the school I go to some people call each other that, and its very annoying. I don't do anything about it though.

[GenocideAlive]

You're kind of lucky that you don't have to put up with that in real life, but to the school I go to some people call each other that, and its very annoying. I don't do anything about it though.
Well, there was plenty of it when I was in school, but I'm an adult now. Since I have a generally white-collar job, if anybody were caught using a word like that, the word "incinerate" wouldn't describe what management would do to them. Let's just settle with "beyond fired".

[Morkeliph]

Those tests are bogus.I thought they were pretty good. Perhaps you'd like to explain how they're bogus instead of just spamming.