Key research themes
1. How do implicit biases and stereotypes arise from and interact with social perception dynamics such as entitativity and situational variability?
This research theme explores the mechanisms by which implicit biases are modulated by how social groups are perceived as coherent entities (entitativity) and how implicit biases fluctuate according to situational contexts. Understanding the influence of perceived group unity and ecological or cultural context on the activation and expression of implicit stereotypes is critical to improving implicit measurement tools and devising interventions to reduce discrimination.
2. What are the cognitive and affective foundations of implicit mental states and how do they form a cluster of semantic-affective associations rather than discrete categories?
This theme investigates whether implicit stereotypes and implicit prejudices constitute distinct cognitive entities or whether they represent overlapping semantic-affective clusters. Unpacking the structure of implicit mental states is crucial to refining theoretical models of implicit bias, enhancing the predictive power of indirect measures, and guiding the design of targeted interventions.
3. How can implicit bias be conceptualized behaviorally rather than as latent mental constructs, and what are the implications for measurement and intervention?
This research focus critiques traditional latent construct views of implicit bias, advocating instead for a perspective that treats implicit bias as automatic, context-induced behavioral phenomena. This paradigm shift affects how implicit bias is measured — emphasizing observable behavior over hypothetical mental entities — and influences the design of research methodologies and bias-reduction strategies.