• Conversation

• discrimination, implicit bias, online testing

• B2+

• taking an IAT, discussing the results

• Individually, Groups

• 25 minutes

The Harvard Implicit Attitudes Test is an interesting conversation starter. By measuring how fast or slow you put pictures or words in a certain category, it measures if you have an implicit bias towards a specific race, gender, body type etc. Its validity is disputed but the accessible format and subject matter make it suitable for a classroom environment nevertheless.

Learning objectives

• You can have a discussion about implicit bias

• You can take a critical look at an online test

• Life skill: social and cultural skills

Class questions

• What does the word 'implicit' mean?

• What does the word 'bias' mean?

• What kind of implicit biases do you think you have?

Activities

Lesson tip 1:

Go to https://www.implicit.harvard.edu. Show the students how to click through all the initial questions (those are more for their own data gathering and don't have an effect on the test) and then have a volunteer student do one of the tests to show how it works. After that, they can do one of the tests themselves and discuss the results and the test itself in small groups or pairs.

Lesson tip 2:

This is an activity you can only do in a group with a very safe atmosphere. The result of the test -while debatable- can be confrontational and especially in a heterogeneous group this can cause friction among students. It's not suitable for groups that are still feeling each other out.