scholarly journals Why Anti-Bias Interventions (Need Not) Fail

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Schmader ◽  
Tara C. Dennehy ◽  
Andrew Scott Baron
Keyword(s):  
Implicit Bias ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Situational Variables ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Entry Points ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Conceptual Confusion

This manuscript was accepted for publication in Perspectives on Psychological Science on September 26, 2021. There is a critical disconnect between scientific knowledge about the nature of bias and how this knowledge gets translated into organizational de-biasing efforts. Conceptual confusion around what implicit bias is contributes to misunderstanding. Bridging these gaps is the key to understanding when and why anti-bias interventions will succeed or fail. Notably, there are multiple distinct pathways to biased behavior, each of which require different types of interventions. To bridge the gap between public understanding and psychological research, we introduce a visual typology of bias that summarizes the process by which group-relevant cognitions are expressed as biased behavior. Our typology spotlights cognitive, motivational, and situational variables impacting the expression and inhibition of biases while aiming to reduce the ambiguity of what constitutes implicit bias. We also address how norms modulate how biases unfold and are perceived by targets. Using this typology as a framework, we identify theoretically distinct entry points for anti-bias interventions. A key insight is that changing associations, increasing motivation, raising awareness, and changing norms are distinct goals, which require different types of interventions targeting individual, interpersonal, and institutional structures. We close with recommendations for anti-bias training grounded in the science of prejudice and stereotyping.

The Goldwater Rule: Perspectives From, and Implications for, Psychological Science

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
scott lilienfeld ◽  
Josh Miller ◽  
Donald Lynam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Judgment ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Psychiatric Status ◽  
Public Figures ◽  
Duty To Inform

When, if ever, should psychological scientists be permitted to offer professional opinions concerning the mental health of public figures they have never directly examined? This contentious question, which attracted widespread public attention during the 1964 U.S. presidential election involving Barry Goldwater, received renewed scrutiny during and after the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, when many mental health professionals raised pointed questions concerning the psychiatric status of Donald Trump. Although the Goldwater Rule prohibits psychiatrists from offering diagnostic opinions on individuals they have never examined, no comparable rule exists for psychologists. We contend that, owing largely to the Goldwater Rule’s origins in psychiatry, a substantial body of psychological research on assessment and clinical judgment, including work on the questionable validity of unstructured interviews, the psychology of cognitive biases, and the validity of informant reports and of L (lifetime) data, has been overlooked in discussions of its merits. We conclude that although the Goldwater Rule may have been defensible several decades ago, it is outdated and premised on dubious scientific assumptions. We further contend that there are select cases in which psychological scientists with suitable expertise may harbor a “duty to inform,” allowing them to offer informed opinions concerning public figures’ mental health with appropriate caveats.

Reply to Connor and Evers (2020): Critique of the Bias of Crowds Model Simply Restates the Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Payne ◽  
Heidi A. Vuletich ◽  
Kristjen B. Lundberg
Keyword(s):  
Implicit Bias ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Systemic Racism ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Core ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Implicit Biases ◽  
The Individual

The Bias of Crowds model (Payne, Vuletich, & Lundberg, 2017) argues that implicit bias varies across individuals and across contexts. It is unreliable and weakly associated with behavior at the individual level. But when aggregated to measure context-level effects, the scores become stable and predictive of group-level outcomes. We concluded that the statistical benefits of aggregation are so powerful that researchers should reconceptualize implicit bias as a feature of contexts, and ask new questions about how implicit biases relate to systemic racism. Connor and Evers (2020) critiqued the model, but their critique simply restates the core claims of the model. They agreed that implicit bias varies across individuals and across contexts; that it is unreliable and weakly associated with behavior at the individual level; and that aggregating scores to measure context-level effects makes them more stable and predictive of group-level outcomes. Connor and Evers concluded that implicit bias should be considered to really be noisily measured individual construct because the effects of aggregation are merely statistical. We respond to their specific arguments and then discuss what it means to really be a feature of persons versus situations, and multilevel measurement and theory in psychological science more broadly.

Intersectionality as a Framework for Theory and Research in Feminist Psychology

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah R. Warner ◽  
Stephanie A. Shields
Keyword(s):  
Social Activism ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Science Practices ◽  
Intersectionality Theory ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Psychological Theories ◽  
History Of

Intersectionality theory concerns the interdependence of systems of inequality and implications for psychological research. Social identities cannot be studied independently of one another nor separately from the societal processes that maintain inequality. In this chapter we provide a brief overview of the history of intersectionality theory and then address how intersectionality theory challenges the way psychological theories typically conceive of the person, as well as the methods of data gathering and analysis customarily used by many psychologists. We specifically address two concerns often expressed by feminist researchers. First, how to reconcile the use of an intersectionality framework with currently-valued psychological science practices. Second, how intersectionality transforms psychology’s concern with individual experience by shifting the focus to the individual’s position within sociostructural frameworks and their social and political underpinnings. In a concluding section we identify two future directions for intersectionality theory: how psychological research on intersectionality can facilitate social activism, and current developments in intersectionality theory.

History of Sexual Orientation and Mental Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 9-24
Author(s):  
Kristin A. Hancock ◽  
Douglas C. Haldeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Movements ◽  
International Policy ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
The Impact

Psychology’s understanding of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people has evolved, become more refined, and impacted the lives of LGB people in profound ways. This chapter traces the history of LGB psychology from the nineteenth century to the present and focuses on major events and the intersections of theory, psychological science, politics, and activism in the history of this field. It explores various facets of cultural and psychological history that include the pathologizing of homosexuality, the rise of psychological science and the political movements in the mid-twentieth century, and the major shifts in policy that ensued. The toll of the AIDS epidemic on the field is discussed as is the impact of psychological research on national and international policy and legislation.

Changing Places: Privilege and Resistance in Contemporary Ireland

2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 32-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Child Rearing ◽  
Negative Power ◽  
Whistle Blowing ◽  
Power And Resistance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
The Family ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Power Base ◽  
Alternative Power

This paper explores the reality of patriarchal privileging and resistance within a society which has undergone dramatic change over the past twenty-five years. Using Foucault's ideas of power and resistance (1980; 1988; 1989) and Connell's ideas of the patriarchal dividend (1995 a and b) it first explores these key concepts. It then draws together a wide range of empirical evidence to document the ongoing reality of patriarchal privileging in the world of paid work and the family in Ireland. It then however identifies and illustrates fourteen analytically different types of resistance including the creation of an alternative power base in the family; facilitating the emergence of new child rearing structures; naming the ‘enemy within’; naming aspects of culture which are not ‘woman friendly’; whistle blowing; targeting key structures; negative power etc. It concludes by suggesting (drawing on Acker, 1998) that although the institutional structures reflect the needs and wishes of powerful men, choices can still be made by individual men and women.

Parent-Reported Medication Use in a Head Start Population

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-325
Author(s):  
Tara M. Brinkman ◽  
John S. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Head Start ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
Psychotropic Medications ◽  
Hispanic Children ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Head Start Children ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Reported Data

This study investigates the prevalence of medication use within a Head Start population. Parent-reported data ( N = 1,397) from initial enrollment information indicated 6.8% of children were taking 34 different types of medication. More than two thirds (69%) of those on medication were prescribed more than one medication, and more than one third (37%) were taking three or more medications. The majority of children were reported to be taking medications that were asthma (88%) or allergy (17%) related. Psychotropic medications accounted for 4% of the medications, indicating a prevalence of less than 0.3%. African American and Hispanic children were overrepresented in those taking medicines. School nurses can work with parents and caregivers of Head Start children by raising awareness of (1) the benefits and side effects of medications commonly taken within this population, (2) the significant role that asthma medications play in low-income areas, and (3) the issues and challenges associated with polypharmacy practices.

scholarly journals Do Conceptual Innovations Facilitate Transformative Change? The Case of Biodiversity Governance

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Hysing ◽  
Rolf Lidskog
Keyword(s):  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Boundary Object ◽  
Social Analysis ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Institutional Structures ◽  
New Meanings ◽  
Political Dimensions ◽  
Biodiversity Governance

This paper explores to what extent and in what ways conceptual innovations matter for biodiversity governance. A three-step analysis is employed, starting with identifying theoretical insights on how concepts matter for transformative change. These insights provide a lens for examining the academic debate on the Ecosystem Services concept and for identifying critical conceptual challenges related to transformative change. Finally, how the concept is used and valued in policy practice is explored through an empirical study of policy practitioners in Sweden. Based on this investigation we conclude that the ES concept holds important but restricted properties for transformative change. The ES concept provides new meanings in the form of economic valuation of nature, but these remain highly contested and difficult to practice; ES function as a boundary object, but poorly integrates social analysis and, in practice engages professionals, rather than resulting in more inclusive public participation; and ES function performatively by reflecting a technocratic ideal and raising awareness rather than targeting fundamental political challenges. Finally, the paper returns to the general questions of how conceptual innovations can generate transformative change and argues that in the continued work of conceptually developing the Nature's Contribution to People, researchers and practitioners need to pay close attention to interpretive frames, political dimensions, and institutional structures, necessitating a strong role for social analysis in this process of conceptual innovation.

scholarly journals THE ROLE OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MOTHER IN CHILDHOOD IN FORMING A WOMAN'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS HER OWN MOTHERHOOD

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (87) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Sidorenko ◽  
◽  
Natalia Grisenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Adult Age ◽  
Personal Attitude ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Psychological Features ◽  
The Relationship

The article is devoted to the study of such an important psychological phenomenon as an attitude of women to their own motherhood. It is summarizes the study of the problem of motherhood in psychological science in general. The article analyzes the problem of the influence of the relationship with the mother in childhood on the formation of a woman's attitude to her own motherhood in adult age. It is illuminates views of foreign and national researchers on the study of this phenomenon, as well as the essence of different areas of research on this phenomenon. Based on the theoretical analysis of the literature on this topic, the concept of "motherhood", its content and psychological essence is studied. Cultural-historical, biological, physiological and psychological aspects to the study of motherhood are singled out. The main content of scientific views on the formation of the phenomenon of motherhood is generalized. The main factors influencing the development of a woman's maternal sphere and the formation of the attitude to one's own motherhood are analyzed and considered. The content of such basic concepts as "mother's image" and "maternal relations" is revealed. The psychological features of the formation of an adequate image of the mother in the theoretical analysis of the ontogenesis of the maternal sphere are analyzed. The article also reveals the dynamics of motherhood in ontogenesis. The types of maternal relations and their role in the life of a mature woman are determined, as well as the influence of these relations on the formation of a woman's attitude to her own motherhood. The influence of different types of relationships between women and their own mothers on the level of formation of their attitude to personal motherhood has been empirically studied. Two groups of women were studied, one group had a positive relationship with their own mother, and the other had a negative one. In the course of the research the differences between different types of maternal relations and the level of formation of a woman's personal attitude to motherhood are singled out.

scholarly journals METHODOLOGY OF COMPLEX AND INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCHES IN MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-45
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. MAZILOV
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Research ◽  
Scientific Concept ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Modern Psychology ◽  
Adequate Understanding ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Moment

The article is devoted to the evaluation of perspectives of interdisciplinary researches using in psychological science in modern conditions. There are formulated approaches that let to improve the efficiency of interdisciplinary researches. Although this issue has received considerable attention of researchers, the problem is not solved at the moment. The theory of complex psychological researches as a scientific concept, reflecting the specificity of psychological research has not been developed yet. The reason for this is that researchers try to develop the principles of organization and procedure of this kind of researches. It is possible to develop the methodology and theory of complex psychological researches, based on the understanding of the subject of psychology. It is alleged that at present time the most adequate understanding of the subject of psychology is his interpretation like the subjective world of human.

scholarly journals Examining the Effects of Message Framing and Social Norms on Judgments of Earthquake Legislation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lauren Vinnell
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Social Norm ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Journal Article ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Risk Tolerance ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Injunctive Norms ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Types Of Information

<p>To increase earthquake preparation, it is beneficial to understand the effects of different types of information used in risk communications. This thesis adapts methods that have been used with other hazards or in hypothetical situations and applies them to increasing support for current earthquake-strengthening legislation in Wellington, New Zealand (NZ). Study 1 examined valence and numerical format framing. Expressing the number of buildings affected by the legislation as a negatively-valenced frequency was found to be most effective at increasing earthquake-related judgments¹. Study 2 examined descriptive and injunctive norms and found that a range of subject factors such as age and previous knowledge of the legislation influenced the effects of norms. Study 3 used the same manipulation and included a sample from Palmerston North, where earthquake risk perceptions are lower. This study showed several clear norm effects, with the combination of both descriptive and injunctive norms the most effective at increasing support for the earthquake legislation. All three studies showed that belief in the effectiveness of strengthening earthquake-prone buildings predicted support for the legislation and lower earthquake-risk tolerance, suggesting that this could be a key perception to target in communications. Overall, these studies suggest that certain messages are more effective at increasing support for the governmental legislation, but also that framing and social norm effects on real-world issues interact with other variables such as age and knowledge which ought to be examined further to increase the usefulness of psychological research to risk communication.  ¹ The results of this study have been accepted for publication as a peer-reviewed journal article: Vinnell, L. J., McClure, J., & Milfont, T. L. (in press). Do framing messages increase support for earthquake legislation? Disaster Prevention and Management, 26(1).</p>

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