https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/research/

Ever wonder how much your unconscious or not so unconscious viewpoints in life are expressed in your everyday existence?

Project Implicit has tests on 100 different topics where your preferential bias is tested and compared to a questionaire filled out beforehand asking you what you think your bias is.

So far, mine has been right.

I've only taken two tests. Foreign places vs American places. And Abstaining vs Drinking.

The first I showed no bias.
The second I showed a bias towards abstaining behavior.

I figured the first one. And am not overly surprised by the second one although I also have problems with the typical 'abstaining' behavior which is expressed by clucking tongues and raised eyebrows. Holier-than-thou's get on my nerves. This is illustrated in my continued belief in smokers' rights two years after quitting smoking. Many become militant anti-smokers.

But, I dislike many attributes of drinking. Specifically the more hard-core drunk/alcoholic side. I've seen far too much of it in my friends and family. So, I'm not surprised.


Also, the test works in a way that I feel it doesn't so much test your bias as it tests your identification.

Here's how it works.
You start out with two columns. Drinking and abstaining.
You place your hands on the keyboard. E and I.
Words are flashed on the screen and you have to sort them.
Right or left.
Drinking or abstaining.
Words such as intoxicated, drunk, refrain, etc...

Next, the categories change to self and other.
The words are my, theirs, I, etc...

Next, the columns mix.

Drinking and self. Abstain and other.

This is where the concept of self-identification comes in.
I didn't really pick up on it so much in the first test as I really have no personal identity with foreign vs american places. But, I found myself linking myself with refrain. And other with drunk.
I thought I made quite a few hesitancies on both side and didn't expect such a strong reaction.
However. I have a strong preference towards abstaining behavior.

Interesting.

I haven't really drank in several years and so I suppose it's natural that I should so strongly identify.

But. Weird.

Try it out.

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/research/

Yikes. Now that was a waste of time. My score was... ready? *** drum roll ***

Your data suggest a strong automatic identification with Social Programs compared to Tax Reductions.

Wheeee hoooooooo!

There are 100 different topics. And they're chosen at random.
Some are more personal than others.

However. Look at your result. Did it surprise you at all? Do you see yourself as someone who believes in big government as opposed to someone who thinks that we shouldn't have to pay for everyone else's problems?

And. What if you got surprising results? That you identify strongly with something that you didn't think of as part of your identity?

In the article I read this in, it spoke of racism. That people harbor racism unconsciously.
I still maintain that this is more about identification than bias or prejudice.

Also.
Another thing about this is that it isn't packaged in a way where you are fed really nice output about the differences between what your questionaire says and your test results show.
This is research.
Not just a game.
You're just a test subject...


I really do find it interesting though and I'd like to see more people try it and see how their experiences match up. A truly innovative method, even if the interpretations are up for interpretation...

Ever wonder how much your unconscious or not so unconscious viewpoints in life are expressed in your everyday existence?



Oh, I wonder that a lot of the time.
Almost every day I sit down solely for this purpose, morning and evening, and observe what really goes on in my mind, how come I said this or said that, did this or did that.

There is usually a difference between what I would like to think that I think, and that which I indeed think.

The gap between the two seems necessary, or no progress can be made. If there is no gap being perceived, then one is either perfect, or in denial.



I didn't take the test though, didn't feel interested enough.

Oh, I wonder that a lot of the time.
indeed. it is apparent a lot of people do not.
however let us not be put off by what at first seems our power in the right place. sometimes it is. sometimes, our is is mistaken... (Rand)


Almost every day I sit down solely for this purpose, morning and evening, and observe what really goes on in my mind, how come I said this or said that, did this or did that.
some people have no chioce. WWAD?

There is usually a difference between what I would like to think that I think, and that which I indeed think.
indeed :D

The gap between the two seems necessary, or no progress can be made. If there is no gap being perceived, then one is either perfect, or in denial.
hrrrmmmmm...?
Maybe i'm taking usual existabrent jargon a little too far. percieving you yourself to take the existabrent. actually, i mean percieving you as ...the other people :bugeye:

Really though. For ONCE.
If you don't mind.
In denial I liked that touch.
I'm a lot in denial myself.
When you're so laden in it it appears indeed you can never get out.
No wonder there's so many mental asylums around these days? [delete confuse]

I don't believe that necessarially follows but what the hell do I know.



I didn't take the test though, didn't feel interested enough.
Get off your ass quit watering the garden and go take a trip to a fire work show (too late now), or, take a trip to an amusement park or something else like a grocery store; maybe... the mall [deleted smiley]

GOT MILK
:p

I looked at a couple and they were all "fluff" subjects... the one I took (just for a giggle) told me I had a strong preference for classical music over hip-hop (which may explain the three CDs of Madame Butterfly in my collection and lack 50 Cent or whoever...) But I'll keep going to see if it randomly tests me on something worthwhile.