Many Americans like to think that they hold few, if any, racial prejudices, but when it comes to choosing friends, a number of these same people are likely to base their choices on race without even realizing it.

Social psychology professors Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald refer to the phenomenon of unconsciously harboring any type of prejudice as a psychological ‘blindspot.’ After overseeing comprehensive research on the subject, Banaji and Greenwald have determined how unconscious bias can affect nearly every facet of American culture including race, religion, disability, age, gender/sexuality, politics and more. Much of this research was developed through Implicit Association Tests (IATs), which are designed to assess individuals’ hidden biases and automatic mental reactions.

Leading psychologists Banaji and Greenwald offer insight into these tests with their new book, “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People.” The co-authors provide an in-depth analysis of mental blindspots including explanations of how and why the human brain’s ability to perceive things accurately can be impaired. What hidden biases might you harbor? Listen in to find out.

Guests:
Mahzarin Banaji , Ph.D., Co-Author, “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People;” Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University

Anthony Greenwald, Ph.D. , Co-Author, “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People;” Professor of Psychology, University of Washington, as well as Adjunct Professor of Marketing and International Business