The “Implicit Bias” Wording Is a Relic. Let’s Move On and Study Unconscious Social Categorization Effects
(2022) Psychological Inquiry : an international journal of peer commentary and review — Vol. 33, n° 3, p. 167-172 (2022)
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- In their target article, Gawronski et al. (this issue) propose to define implicit bias as the unconscious effect of social category cues on behavioral responses. Based on this definition, they reason that the study of biases on implicit measures may have little relevance to implicit biases arising in everyday life. We applaud Gawronski et al.’s commitment to a precise definition of the implicit bias construct and we agree with their clear-cut separation of the two constructs. However, we contest the (scientific, educational, societal) value of ideas disseminated around bias on implicit measures when relating these measures to “unconscious biases.” We also contest the relevance of retaining the delusive implicit terminology in social cognition research and research inspired by it. We propose an alternative terminology for the construct of interest - unconscious social categorization effect - and point to current limitations and potential ways forward for studying it. More generally, our commentary points to risks associated with conceptual and methodological flaws in implicit attitude and social cognition research.
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Corneille, O., & Bena, J. (2022). The “Implicit Bias” Wording Is a Relic. Let’s Move On and Study Unconscious Social Categorization Effects. Psychological Inquiry : an international journal of peer commentary and review, 33(3), 167-172. https://doi.org/10.1080/1047840x.2022.2106754 (Original work published 2022)