The Implicit Project at Harvard University

Yesterday, while talking with Elsie and Jennifer, a favorite website of mine came forth. The Implicit Project at Harvard University is an multi-languaged site (the entry portal is in English) that uses a series of association tests to identify, and to some extent quantify, our personal biases on a wide range of diversity topics.

For example, the first test I took was about gender bias. I figured as a white male growing up on the east coast of the United States with a stay-at-home mom, that no matter how much I might awaken to gender equality my childhood imprinting would leave a latent bias about men as workers and women being at home. I took that test five times, over several weeks, and in different sequences. Each time it confirmed what I had imagined -- a low-level bias toward men being the providers and women being the family. Fortunately it was a VERY low-level bias and, therefore, easily compensated for with conscious attention to the truth of gender equality and challenges to creating gender equity.

I also figured that my female colleagues would have the same bias. Despite their gender, they recieved similar imprinting, right? Sure enough, all three of my female colleagues had the same low-level bias toward men as providers and women as family.

Anyway, I very much enjoy the site and have used it many times with clients, friends, and family who were interacting in a diverse environment. Have fun with it. It can be very informative.