Reducing the expression of implicit stereotypes: reflexive control through implementation intentions.
The authors tested the effectiveness of implementation intentions as a strategy for limiting the behavioral expression of implicit stereotypes. Implementation intentions are if-then plans that link an intended response to an anticipated situational cue, thereby enabling a reflexive form of control. The authors examined whether two different types of implementation intentions could improve response accuracy on the Shooter Task, a reaction time measure of implicit stereotyping. In Study 1, participants used a distraction-inhibiting implementation intention designed to engage control over the perception of goal-irrelevant stimuli (e.g., race). In Study 2, participants used a response-facilitating implementation intention designed to promote goal-directed action. Across studies, implementation intentions improved accuracy, thereby limiting the behavioral expression of implicit stereotypes. Furthermore, process dissociation analyses indicated that the distraction-inhibiting implementation intention increased controlled processing while reducing automatic stereotype activation, whereas the response-facilitating implementation intention increased only controlled processing. Implications for goal strategy approaches to reducing prejudice are discussed.
Mendoza
Saaid A
SA
New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Gollwitzer
Peter M
PM
Amodio
David M
DM
D032763:Behavior Control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D044469:Racial Groups; D013240:Stereotyping; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D018910:Video Games