Reflections on the Implicit Association Test (IAT)

Taking the Implicit Association Test (IAT) was an eye-opening experience. I completed the Race and Gender IATs and found the process intriguing but also somewhat skeptical due to how reaction time influences the results. I understand the purpose of using reaction time to measure implicit associations, but I also wonder how age and cognitive processing speed, especially at age 59, might influence outcomes. That said, the IAT did help raise my awareness of how automatic responses might not always align with conscious beliefs.

Interestingly, my implicit associations aligned with my conscious beliefs. This was reassuring and supports my belief that exposure, education, and lived experiences can bring implicit and explicit attitudes into closer alignment. Still, I was initially skeptical of the results—not because I disagreed with them, but because I questioned the accuracy of a tool that relies so heavily on milliseconds of reaction time. Even so, I see value in the IAT as a tool for self-reflection.

My implicit thoughts have been shaped by my family, religion, cultural environment, and military service in the U.S. Air Force. Recognizing these influences is important, especially in healthcare, where biases, whether conscious or unconscious, can deeply affect diagnosis, treatment, and overall patient care. Poor understanding of individual patients due to bias can lead to inaccurate assessments and widen existing health disparities.

My experience with bias, particularly around my height, has shown me how assumptions can impact how one is perceived and treated. While less of an issue now, it was a significant challenge during my youth. As healthcare professionals, we must be aware of the biases, especially around race, gender, disability, and more, that can affect clinical decision-making. It's appropriate to consider aspects like race or religion in care only when it's patient-informed and relevant to their treatment goals.