Ournext Centre for Decision Research seminar is online via Teams THIS WEEK Wednesday November 11th 14:00-15:00 (UK time). This seminar is also in person in the Charles Thackrah building SR 1/2 (1.01/1.02).
All are welcome.
CDR Seminar
Unconscious Racism?
Implicit bias measures and the psychology of conscious awareness
Adam Hahn
University of Bath
Wednesday November 11th 14:00-15:00 UK time: Leeds University Business School: Online - Teams link here
Abstract: One of social psychology’s most successful exports to societal debates around diversity is the concept of “implicit bias”. Based on findings with so-called “implicit measures”, such as the Implicit Association Test (IAT), the implicit bias literature has popularized the idea that our decisions and behaviour around diversity might sometimes be guided by “unconscious” thought processes. But how accurate is this interpretation of “implicit measures”? In this talk, I will present data and theorizing from our lab that question the dichotomous idea that biases are either conscious or unconscious and instead suggest that conscious awareness is a multi-faceted phenomenon with more than two levels. Theoretically, this view can lead to a better understanding of automaticity and conscious awareness in social cognition, which may also be relevant for the study of other decision biases. From an applied perspective, a better understanding of the cognitions underlying implicit bias scores can lead applied researchers to design more effective interventions targeted at acknowledgement of social group biases. Discussion will focus on how simplified notions of automatic thoughts may hinder social-cognitive research from having an impact on important societal issues.
The Speaker: Dr. Adam Hahn studies the cognitive processes underlying social phenomena like attitudes, stereotyping, and prejudice. Using experimental laboratory methods, Adam’s work tests the assumptions about human cognition that underpin explanations of social problems: That people have “unconscious bias”, that multiculturalism is beneficial for diversity, or that portraying Africa as poor can help its development by encouraging aid. His experience includes a PhD at the University of Colorado Boulder, a postdoc at Western University in Canada, a lectureship at the University of Cologne in Germany, and his current position at the University of Bath. Adam’s work at the intersection of cognitive and social psychology has won awards from both experimental psychology (APA’s New Investigator Award in 2015) and social psychology (SPSP’s Early Career Award in Attitudes and Social Influence 2018). His work has been covered by the Opinion Science podcast and media outlets such as the Guardian. His teaching has also been recognised through awards at Cologne and Bath, including the University of Bath’s John Willis Award in 2024.
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3711205899053851?p=4Eh5w1aRzpNf5F0YRE
Meeting ID: 371 120 589 905 385 1
Passcode: HC67tY3k