IAT Test

The two Implicit Associations Tests I took were Republican versus Democratic and an energy drink named Force versus "Other".  Both results I got from each test were results my I did not expect to favor more than the other.  In the beginning, after viewing the items the test gave me, my conscious state, of course, assumed what the outcome will reflect my own initial views and feelings about them.  However, the outcome of my IAT results disproved my claim.  After receiving my results, I got a bit frustrated because I felt that the test discredited who I know I am.  Thus, after awhile, it became clear to me as to why the test showed that I favored certain items that I would not imagine favoring in reality.  I thought about the things I am more exposed to in my environment now and over the years.  The items that the test proved I unconsciously favored are the ones that are more culturally accepted in our society.

 According to William James, “But our thinking and feeling processes are also largely subject to the laws of habit, and one result of this is a phenomenon which you all know under the name of the association of ideas” (p. 40).  We all develop certain ideas and feelings that originated from our culture and experiences.  It is only natural for us to make our own perceived ideas through associations because it is what is most exposed to us and experience, in which we are opt to respond accordingly as a habit.  Sometimes, the associations we have are not always generally right.  However, we cannot help the fact that those associations were learned.  They are needed for us to be able to interpret the world to fit our way of life.  James describes, “Moreover, you fully realize . . . how important in life . . . is this sense of readiness for emergencies which a man gains through early familiarity and acquaintance with the world of material things” (p. 72). 

Reference
 James, W. (1899/2001). Talks to teachers on psychology and to students on some of life's ideals. Mineola, NY: Dover. ISBN: 0486-41964-9