The words Extralinguistic Knowledge written over a Graphic of an open book with a dog standing on page that is covered in grass and has a road on it.Build your extralinguistic knowledge by learning more about implicit bias.

Aim

To learn about implicit bias and understand how it affects you.

Time Required for Activity: 15 minutes

Objective(s):

Interpreters will:

  1. Learn about the concept of implicit bias
  2. Assess their own implicit bias

Click on Step 1 below to begin.

In this video from the Washington Post, Mahzarin Banaji, a Harvard psychologist and co-author of Blind Spot, explains about implicit bias and how it functions within organizations.   Watch this 3:32 video to gain an introductory insight into Implicit Bias.

Step 2:  Take an Implicit Association Test

Screenshot of Project Implicit log-in window. Top field allows you to register with your email. Bottom option lets you login as a guest

Click on the image above to go to the Project Implicit website.  As shown, you have the option of registering with your email and getting information sent to you directly, or you can continue as a guest and take the test anonymously.

You will have a variety of tests that you can take. Choose which one seems most relevant to you.  You can take more than one.

Step 3: Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on your experience. Remember that implicit bias is “the thumbprint of the culture on your brain” as described by Mahzarin Banaji. So, understand that your results are not solely a reflection of you as a person. Rather, it gives some insight into the society and culture within which you grew up.

  • What did you learn from taking the Implicit Association Test?
  • Were the results what you expected?
  • How were they the same or different than your expectations?
  • What are you interested in learning more about related to implicit bias?

Learn more about the types of interventions that can help reduce bias.