inf0rmatics

      The implicit association test that I completed is the gender-science test that reveals unconscious links between gender and field of studies. My test result suggests that I have a slight association of female with sciences and male with liberal arts. This means that I have a slight tendency to associate females with scientific fields and males with liberal arts-related field. I think that this result is not surprising because of my history and the people I grew up around. Most of my friends and some of my family members who are female pursue in a field of science. I think that how I grew up and the things that I was exposed have some effects the test results.

 

      The nature of these kinds of test is to measure your reaction time when sorting different pictures or terms to a subject. For example, my test had the following categories: Female, Male, Science, and Liberal arts. By having four categories, the test pair up two categories like Male and Science on one side and Female and Liberal arts on the other. Terms relating to the categories will show and testers will need to sort these terms as quick as possible. The test will swap the parings and once again require the testers to sort the same terms. The results are calculated by comparing the reaction speed for sorting. If the reaction speed is faster for when Male and Science are paired, the tester’s result will show an association for Male with Science and Female with Liberal arts. I think that these kinds of tests have some positives to them, but more negatives or limitations. First, these tests can show that some people may be unconsciously biased, but it may not necessarily work on everyone. For example, some people may be great at remembering the terms and can quickly sort them without error. This skill makes the test unable to show any results. Second, the terms used for sorting are very repetitive. A broader array of terms should be used so that the test would be more effective.

 

      I think that this test is not very effective in changing social inequality but certainly has some effects. This test does nothing but show results and that is it. It does not show any follow-up steps to help testers to be unbiased in those areas. The only effect of this test is to show people if they are biased against a group or not. It only works in changing social inequity if the testers are willing to change.