2012 November | Patricia G. Devine, Patrick S. Forscher, Anthony J. Austin, William T. L. Cox
A 12-week longitudinal study evaluated a multi-faceted prejudice habit-breaking intervention aimed at reducing implicit race bias. The intervention, based on the premise that implicit bias is like a habit that can be reduced through awareness, concern about bias, and strategy application, led to significant and lasting reductions in implicit race bias among participants. Participants who were concerned about discrimination or who used the strategies showed the greatest reductions. The intervention also increased participants' concern about discrimination and awareness of bias over time. Control group participants showed no such effects. The study found that the intervention led to enduring reductions in implicit bias, suggesting that long-term changes in implicit bias are possible through intentional effort. The intervention included bias education, training on strategies to reduce bias, and prompts for participants to reflect on their strategy use. The study used the Black-White Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure implicit bias and found that intervention participants had significantly lower IAT scores than control group participants. The intervention also increased participants' concern about discrimination and awareness of their personal bias. The study found that the intervention's effects on implicit bias were sustained over time, indicating that long-term reductions in implicit bias are possible. The study also found that participants who were more concerned about discrimination showed greater reductions in implicit bias. The findings suggest that interventions that engage intentional effort can lead to long-term reductions in implicit bias. The study highlights the importance of awareness, concern, and strategy use in reducing implicit bias. The results provide hope for reducing persistent and unintentional forms of discrimination that arise from implicit bias.A 12-week longitudinal study evaluated a multi-faceted prejudice habit-breaking intervention aimed at reducing implicit race bias. The intervention, based on the premise that implicit bias is like a habit that can be reduced through awareness, concern about bias, and strategy application, led to significant and lasting reductions in implicit race bias among participants. Participants who were concerned about discrimination or who used the strategies showed the greatest reductions. The intervention also increased participants' concern about discrimination and awareness of bias over time. Control group participants showed no such effects. The study found that the intervention led to enduring reductions in implicit bias, suggesting that long-term changes in implicit bias are possible through intentional effort. The intervention included bias education, training on strategies to reduce bias, and prompts for participants to reflect on their strategy use. The study used the Black-White Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure implicit bias and found that intervention participants had significantly lower IAT scores than control group participants. The intervention also increased participants' concern about discrimination and awareness of their personal bias. The study found that the intervention's effects on implicit bias were sustained over time, indicating that long-term reductions in implicit bias are possible. The study also found that participants who were more concerned about discrimination showed greater reductions in implicit bias. The findings suggest that interventions that engage intentional effort can lead to long-term reductions in implicit bias. The study highlights the importance of awareness, concern, and strategy use in reducing implicit bias. The results provide hope for reducing persistent and unintentional forms of discrimination that arise from implicit bias.