Implicit Association Test (IAT)

Write a reaction paper about your findings. Which Implicit Association Tests (IAT) did you take? What were the results? What is your reaction to the results? Do you think these tests help break down barriers to intercultural communication? Why or why not?
The first Implicit Association Test (IAT) that I took was the Race IAT. It delved into the racial relations between African-Americans and European-Americans. My results, surprisingly, depicted that I have a slight preference for the latter. I do not concur with these results due to my sentiments on justice and equality. Believing that both parties should be treated equally contradicts the results that infer my preference for white folk over people of color. Regarding the Race IAT, there is an affirmative response regarding intercultural communication. I am certain that this test improves cross-cultural communication; assisting individuals of different ethnicities to interact with one another. The questions presented in this test assist individuals to understand the relationship between black and white folk from different perspectives. They have addressed the marriage institution, social relationship, and economic statuses, among others. Though subtly, the Race IAT ensures that people understand foreign cultures and traditions hence alleviating intercultural communication (Scollon, Scollon & Jones, 2012). The use of pictures, as delineated in the Race IAT is necessary for assisting people to differentiate between African-Americans and European-Americans, thereby, improving cross-cultural communication.

Moreover, the Sexuality IAT rendered that I prefer straight people over homosexual ones. It is my belief that the results may be inaccurate to a great extent. Most of the answers I chose in the test depicted a preference over homosexuals. Despite my campaign for overall equality, I am affiliated strongly with the LGBT community. Discrimination against folk based on sexual orientation often affects individuals deeply due to the large populace of heterosexuals. It is, therefore, difficult for homosexuals to receive solace because of fewer members in their community. Heterosexual individuals are considered “normal” according to the societal expectations. They do not receive awkward looks or reactions from members of the society. Despite identifying myself as a straight person, I am highly empathetic with the LGBT community. My utter subjectivity also stems from a feud that ensued in my family two weeks ago. By housing my gay cousin and offering him encouragement, I protected him from homelessness after he was disowned by his family members. Unlike gay people, heterosexual folk does not have trouble socializing and interacting with other human beings. The former is considered “abnormal” due to their attraction to members of the same sex. I believe that every individual should be allowed to choose their love desires irrespective of sex. My reaction apropos of the Sexuality IAT test results is negative.
The sexual orientation test, just like the Race IAT, assists in breaking down barriers to intercultural communication. Diversity and differences are notable in the questions. Individuals understand the capability of same-sex couples to marry, adopt children and lead normal lives. The test enlightens people on the ability of homosexuals to raise a functional family despite the existence of same-sex parents. Uninformed heterosexuals, therefore, understand the lives of homosexuals, leading to appreciation and tolerance of differences in societies. These distinctions also lead to socialization which augurs peaceful co-existence and unity in the community. In enhancing intercultural communication, people understand that appreciation of one another’s unique way of life creates a progressive environment (Novinger, 2013). The pictorial differentiation between homosexuals and heterosexuals improves the ability of individuals to understand cross-cultural activities. Most importantly, however, the integration of specific words in both Race and Sexuality IATs is representative of these tests’ role in heightening intercultural communication.
After taking the Skin-Tone IAT, my test results delineated preference for light-skinned over dark-skinned individuals. Skin-tone, in my opinion, should not be used a factor to separate individuals in the society. When human beings are made to believe that light skin is better, most of them engage in uncouth practices such as bleaching or skin lightening. These processes may interfere with their health and immunity due to possible side effects. I do not concur with the results generated by the IAT. Instead of developing groups to differentiate individuals based on skin-tone, these tests should categorize them in a single bracket. Associating each skin-tone with specific words and descriptions depicts the extent of inequality and segregation in societies. By exposing individuals to different cultures and traditions, these IATs enhance intercultural communication. They assist people in opening their minds and escaping from oblivion. Before IATs, individuals are inclined toward specific sentiments thus interfering with their ability to delve deeper into a given situation. Even if IATs allow individuals to employ honesty, most of them assist in breaking down barriers to intercultural communication. The tests expose individuals to foreign cultures through theoretical questions and pictorial representations. Through implication, IATs often enlighten individuals about their unknown beliefs and attitudes (Rudman, 2011). The results are, therefore, shocking and unexpected due to the in-depth nature of IATs. Cautiously, they lure human beings into offering correct information about their opinions on different ideas in the society.
These IATs employ diversity is hence assisting people in embracing intercultural communication. Another folk may argue against the reliability of IATs on cross-cultural communication due to its open and non-judgmental nature. Notwithstanding, I retain my opinion apropos of the significance of IATs in improving relationships among individuals of different cultures.
References
Novinger, T. (2013). Intercultural communication: A practical guide. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.
Rudman, A.L. (2011). Implicit Measures for Social and Personality Psychology. Sage Publications.
Scollon, R., Scollon, S. B. K., & Jones, R. H. (2012). Intercultural communication: A discourse approach. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.