ARTICLE: “”Unlearning” automatic biases: The malleability of implicit prejudice and stereotypes.”

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-05123-009

Rudman, L. A., Ashmore, R. D., & Gary, M. L. (2001). “Unlearning” automatic biases: The malleability of implicit prejudice and stereotypes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(5), 856–868. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.81.5.856

Abstract

The present research suggests that automatic and controlled intergroup biases can be modified through diversity education. In 2 experiments, students enrolled in a prejudice and conflict seminar showed significantly reduced implicit and explicit anti-Black biases, compared with control students. The authors explored correlates of prejudice and stereotype reduction. In each experiment, seminar students’ implicit and explicit change scores positively covaried with factors suggestive of affective and cognitive processes, respectively. The findings show the malleability of implicit prejudice and stereotypes and suggest that these may effectively be changed through affective processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)