Reducing defensive responding to implicit bias feedback: On the role of perceived moral threat and efficacy to change

Internal conflict and prejudice-regulation: Emotional ambivalence buffers against defensive responding to implicit bias feedback

“…This test was not actually used to provide the feedback, as it was merely a cover story to provide participants with a basis for feedback that was, in reality, randomly manipulated. That is, this test was used as a false-feedback paradigm [ 17 , 45 ], in which participants were randomly assigned to receive bias feedback (vs. no feedback). The actual validity of the IAT as a measure is irrelevant to our purpose.…”

“…In these studies, the bias feedback is always a deception by experimental design–the feedback is not accurate and our goal is to have participants believe it is accurate, in order to impactfully distribute feedback about bias. The validity of utilizing the IAT as a paradigm for manipulating beliefs about personal attitudes was first demonstrated by Vitriol et al5 and has since been used in research studying reactions to implicit bias feedback [ 17 ]. Participants complete the IAT, and receive false feedback about their performance (though we use their actual scores as control variables).…”

“…Following the procedure used in other research examining reactions to implicit bias feedback [ 17 ], participants reported their belief in the validity, credibility, and objectivity of the IAT across 4 items using a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all, 7 = Extremely”). These items include 1) “In your opinion, how credible is this test?”, 2) “In your opinion, how objective is this test?”, 3) “In your opinion, how valid are the results of this test?, 4) “In your opinion, how useful is this test for understanding people’s racial attitudes?” These items were reverse-coded, such that higher values represent lower perceptions of the credibility and validity of IAT, and thus higher levels of defensiveness (Sample 1 Cronbach’s alpha = .90, Sample 2 Cronbach’s alpha = .94).…”

“…Research suggests that to successfully initiate prejudice regulation in others, bias awareness must be raised, and to do this requires a non-defensive reaction to discussions about bias and feedback about personal biases [ 16 ]. Previous research on reducing defensiveness has focused solely on how to mitigate the threat posed by bias feedback through the wording of the feedback [ 17 ]. However, aside from shaping the nature of the message, another approach to reducing defensiveness is to focus on preparing the message recipient for potentially threatening information.…”

“…To do so often first requires awareness that responding is biased and in need of alteration. This is interfered by defensive processing during discussions about bias [ 8 , 17 , 41 ]. Many people respond defensively to implicit bias feedback [ 8 , 15 , 14 ].…”