Can ‘Unintentional Race Bias’ Be Treated?
- Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:03pm by
Liz Klimas
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Elizabeth Phelps (Photo: NYU via Nature)
A research review from neuroscientists is further supporting the theory that racism — at least a component of it — is innate and therefore could be treated.
Neuroscientist Elizabeth Phelps from New York University and her colleagues evaluated 17 different brain studies and expounded upon research she published more than a decade ago that first showed race preferences could be linked to brain activity. Phelps, who was interviewed by the journal Nature, explained that the area of the brain that detects race also is closely tied to an emotional response. She explains that even in people who have the correct intentions –are “motivated to be non-prejudiced” — a part of the brain picks up on unintentional racist responses while another part of the brain regulates these responses as you choose not to act upon them.
For example, she said:
Most white Americans we studied show an implicit preference for their own group. They don’t have bad intentions, but because they’ve associated black people with, say, criminality so many times, their decisions are infused with that association, whether or not they believe it’s accurate. There’s evidence of unintentional race bias at every stage of the legal process. Despite the fact that it aims to be egalitarian, sentencing is vastly different for African Americans. The bias is also there in employment.
Phelps said that those who try to suppress — however consciously or unconsciously – unintentional racist tendencies show more activity in the area of the brain that is controlling these responses, compared to those who are blatantly and admittedly racist.
The study’s abstract explains this as a “network of interacting brain regions” involved in the “unintentional, implicit expression of racial attitudes and its control.”
Believing that the ”neural circuitry of race, emotion and decision-making” overlaps, the researchers in the study state further studies could evaluate how to “recognize and respond to variations in race and its influence on unintended race-based attitudes and decisions.” Earlier this year, for example, a study by another group found that giving test subjects a blood-pressure lowering drug reduced subconscious racism.
According to The Australian, neuroscientist Anthony Harris with Sydney University agreed that testing how to “treat” inherent racism was next up for neurological studies. He acknowledged that currently it is “very difficult to tease out the cultural influence on our biological processes.”
(H/T: Daily Mail)
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Comments (76)
SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:16pmDon’t you just love neo-eugenics research? Bring back the research from the late 1800s to early twentieth century, modernize it a little bit. Add a little genetics and DNA research, and call it ‘science’…
Sorry this goes against everything anthropologists believe that ‘race’ doesn’t exist… that its a social construct. It can’t be “inherit”, and that if you were to look at two individuals in the same room, that physically look different, that genetically, they would be 99.999% the same, and vice versa, two that may physically look ‘similar’, might be very different genetically.
But, heh history of anthropologists is not without the blemish, as they were often the ones to support eugenics in the past… Racialist science creates racialist results.. Confirmation bias…
Report Post »Glynrd Skynrd
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:11amAt a 2002 rally to demand reparations for African-Americans, Charles Barron (who ran for Congress in NY) said, “I want to go up to the closest white person and say, ‘You can’t understand this, it’s a black thing,’ and then slap him just for my mental health.”
Yep, just waiting for these social engineers to strap us in and reprogram us, hope they have the settings right…
Report Post »Scrap-Diversity
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:34amYes of course racism can be treated as a disease, Homosexuality and the transgendered ?? Well, those are normal conditions for everyone to except… pppffftt !!!
Report Post »battles
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:42amEvery time Louis Farrakhan and Jessy Jackson open their mouth, it inflames this so called disease. Therefore, it is incurable.
Report Post »Nasado
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:42amActually there is a cure then. Like I always say, there are few problems in the world that a swift flame-thrower blast to the face cannot solve. In fact, there are none at all! (get it, the pun on your inflaed comment…. get it? Yeah you got it)
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:24pmActually some of us do understand how it feels when hate happens between ‘cultures’… My ancenstors were kicked out of Russia during the pograms… Some were probably killed during the Holocaust even…
The Irish were hated by Italians in American’s past as well… This sort of thing is not new… Racism is color-blind and colorless, that is to say it can occur to anyone and for any reason form any ethnicity… Almost every culture has felt the sting of racism in the past, and persecution at some point…
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:29pmRacism, bigotry and prejudice can take the from of black on black hate, and white on white hate as well… It can come from anyone, towards others in the “same” group because of minor ethnic and cultural differences…
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:06pmThe Brain Discriminates…. so you can identify Food from Poop, Input from Output, and Good from Bad. Anyone that desires to stop this… has a mouth full of Poop!
Report Post »ICEDRAGON
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:09pmBirds of a feather flock together. The truth in this little ditty is fantastic. People tend to marry those that look like themselves and partner up with similar attitudes and appearances. so all this hype is unnecessary. Someone is trying to make money. So they dust off the old BS and go for it.
Report Post »PubliusPencilman
Posted on June 28, 2012 at 9:12am“Sorry this goes against everything anthropologists believe that ‘race’ doesn’t exist… that its a social construct.”
No, it doesn’t. We know that race does not exist as an essential biological category. However, that doesn’t change the fact that it exists as a social and historical category (as you say, a social construct). I’ll assume that you yourself are not racist, but certainly most of the time you can look at someone and tell me if they are white or black. That’s not to say that there is a wide genetic divergence between them–you can’t SEE genetics except in the case of physical attributes, while you can see things like skin color that have been the basis for the historical understanding of race.
Report Post »FightingBear
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:03pmRace has nothing to do with it.
If you have an ideological difference with a person of color…you are automatically labeled a racist.
I would have voted for Conde Rice, Allan West, Colin Powell (before he switched sides), and I still plan on writing in Herman Cain’s name on my ballot in November. I don’t hate Blacks, or Hispanics, or Asians, or Native Americans….I hate the liberal ideology.
If hating an ideology makes me racist in the eyes of some….well,…there is very little I am willing to do about that…call me a racist if it makes you feel better…. the more accurate term would be a “liberalist”. It is the liberal ideology that I hate.
Report Post »sillyfreshness
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:06amWhen they talk about “racism” they are only referring to “white racism” and a white person who might fear getting beaten or robbed by a black is acting “racist”. Now a black dude who actually targets a white person (because of their race) to beat or rob…….now that‘s NOT racist in these Bolshevik’s eyes. It’s a totally biased study to provide evidence that all whites are racists. Blacks can target whites to beat, rob, rape, even kill and that’s totally fine and not racist-according to the Bolsheviks.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:25pmI used to think all Korean men hated women, and thought they shouldn’t be in the workforce, because every man I met who was Korean had that view. Then I met more Korean men and my view changed. The only people who are racist against black people have only met the hoods. The only blacks who are racist against white people have only me the ones who treated them bad. Or else they aren‘t open to meeting any of the ones that don’t fit their mold.
Report Post »Wolfgang the Gray
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:54pmOnce they declare any behavior as a mental illness, then they can “medicate” those that are “inflicted.”. Not talking about racism here, but I did read some doctor last year saying conservatism was due to a chemical “imbalance” in the brain.
Never let them call you crazy.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:01pm“Born that way” worked as an excuse for Lady Gaga?
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:51pmConfirmation bias anyone?
No different creationists that they do their research to ‘prove’ their belief, or evolutionists that try to ‘prove’ their belief.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:51pmjust take a walk through the west side of chicago on a hot summer night when the air is still and all the peacfull people are out on thier corners and just ask your fellow americans 4 directions…and see what happens…shes an idiot and an apologist for a race of people who have been on a leash of democrats since the 60,s and now rather than say houston we have an out of control problem here…its so much easier to compound that problem and blame whitey,,,,,,im sure in here elitest world she really thinks she has all the answers…thats what makes this dolt dangerous
Report Post »RAGEAGAINSTTHEMACHINE
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:43pmI guess lobotomizing the liberals of society might be the right prescription as they’re without a doubt the most unattached to reality and harbor the most racist ideologies…not to mention their obvious intellectual and ethical deficiencies.
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:43pmwow the more progressive slaves get educated..so called….the more guilt they have..poor things…well she has the whole nbc network to expierment on…you go girl
Report Post »DennisMetz
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:38pmJust another way to make white ashamed of themselves, unreal how far the left will go to make this race a racial election and make whites embarrased into voting for the turd, just like a frog, NOO we did not turn up the heat
Report Post »I mean what the bleep do u think would happen if they made a study on black hatred for Jews and whites and studied their brain they are openly racist about whites and Jews whites have bee programmed to think they are racist and everything they do is racist it is getting to the point if you get held up by black thugs and you dont hand over your life savings then your racist? how big of an outcry would there be if there was a study on black racism?
SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:38pmI think most reasonable people of all ethnic backgrounds can identify pooh when they smell it. This is so crazy on several levels. And to think grant money was probably involved. First a bias is not the same as racism. Second, would minorities (if studied) be found to have different results? If not would they be considered racist, unintentional in most cases of course. This is an agenda driven pseudoscience experiment meant to provide ammo to the PC story that racism is the explanation of all minority woes. White people, who try their hardest, just cannot escape being racists anyway, in fact they can’t even see it most of the time. Wow what actually passes as science these days is truly scary. Let’s see their methods and raw data, I bet many holes could be shot straight through this crap study.
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:36pmOh shut up with this nonsense—SO sick of hearing it!
How can this be true when ASIANS, HISPANICS, BLACKS and W-H-I-T-E-S elected OWEbama, the first BLACK man, to the presidency!
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:34pm‘Time’ for reducation camps?
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:44pmOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:46pmAhh, lobotomies for all!
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:34pmMaybe the problem is not racism per say but an intolerance or the inability to accept a different culture.
Not the color if skin but their culture is at the root of the problem. For example, two white families live close together. Family “A” loves the late night noisy parties but family “B” wants peace and quiet.
Report Post »Will they come to dislike each other? I think they will. It may even develop into hate.
RightPolitically
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:33pmThe researchers wish to brainwash U.S. into not believing our lying eyes. Remember Obama’s statement about his white grandmother being a “typical” white person who feared being followed by a black man? Put that thought out of your mind, you bigot!
Report Post »Marsh626
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:33pmThe idea that blacks are only in our jails at an extremely disproportionate rate due to unintentional White racism in our justice system and that blacks only face extremely high unemployment rates for the same reason is debunked by nationwide victim surveys who describe their attackers as black at a higher rate than are in our prisons. Which means, if anything, more black criminals are simply getting away than are being arrested and thrown in jail.
Also, blacks comprise the dregs of every society they live in – not just in America – including in countries where blacks are the majority race. So, unintentional White racism doesn’t explain that as well.
What does actually accurately explain sky high black violent crime and unemployment rates is IQ scores. Blacks have the lowerst average IQ in the world. That‘s why so many of them can’t get work or create their own successful businesses. They’re just not that bright. They simply can’t compete with brainier races who have much higher academic performances. And if you can’t get work, then you’re more likely to turn to crime.
Also, low black intelligence may contribute to their extremely high violent crime rates in another way. They simply might not be intelligent enough to empathize with other people, especially their victims.
As to “curing” Whites preferring to socialize with other Whites, that isn‘t a cure I want since it’s not a problem.
Report Post »Mixwell63
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:17pmMARSH626, You are wrong, blacks don’t have the lowest IQs in the world. Australian Abo’s have an average IQ of 60! Wow! African blacks have 70 as an average. American blacks have an average IQ of 85. Whites 100, if course, so it’s pretty obvious why the difference in African and American black populations. White Pride, World Wide.
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:31pmI can see it now:
“New miracle drug to cure all your racial bias, Race Ex.(tm)”
“Just one pill every hour on the hour and you’ll be just like all your enlightened liberal friends, totally colorblind, and smugger than an Oscar speech!”
“Side effects may include: actual colorblindness, whininess, egomania, long bouts of sitting and drooling, memory loss, memory rewrite, asthma, coughing, death, vomiting, choking on your own bile, blood shooting from your eyes, loss of common sense, severe physical addiction, lowered testosterone levels in men, lowered estrogen level in women, death, loss of bowel control, registering as a democrat, new appreciation for participation trophies and death.”
“Race Ex.(tm) might not be right for you, but if you’re a white non-liberal you’ll definitely need it. Please consult your nearest Holistic Magewoman or Tolerance Commandant before use.”
Heaven have mercy on us all…
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:30pmnope,
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:29pmWill the “treatment” be done in re-education camps?
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:42pmI was sort of jokingly thinking the same thing as I read the article. Frankly, I really think this is a cooked up cover story to be used against politicians and other people in the future. All with the look and feel of being supported by academia. Establish a goal, then build the research to support the goal.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:45pmHey, it worked in Siberia didn’t it?
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:50pmSACREDHONOR1776, Let’s not forget Vietnam and Cambodia.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:59pm…and Germany.
…and even in late 19th to mid 20th century U.S under the eugenicists… Asylums…
Report Post »justangry
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:28pmNo one would volutarily take drugs that have side effects for this and forcing one to do so is unethical.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:26pmSome of the most racist people I have met were black, mostly Nation of Islam. But maybe there is a cure for them……nah, only white folk are racist, shoot we whitewash things, tell little white lies, and of course only vote for white old men….shhhh, don’t tell Alan West or Herman Cain.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:28pmSome of the most racist people I know are ‘people’… racism is colorless (it is not part of any one group)… It exists among all groups. Sometimes it occurs within members of the same group with each other…
Report Post »RAGEAGAINSTTHEMACHINE
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:24pmHow about a lobotomy? This is insane! We are inherently aware of all differences. We all “profile” whether you admit it or not! This is part of our survival instincts and allows us to first recognize someone or something is different and then further deduce whether or not said difference poses a threat in any way. Maybe, while we’re at it, we should remove the ability to discern if something is dangerously hot, the “irrational” fear of heights or dangerous animals, or the fact thàt we need to breath!!?? Why are we more consumed with racism now in this Country than any other time in my lifetime? We have nominated the first black President, we have the first blk Attorney General and on and on…the fact that they have driven this country into the ground like a tent peg is unfortunate. I don’t want to hear about how racist we are, the opportunities are there for ALL-it’s up to you what you choose to do with it.
Report Post »TROLLMONGER
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:31pmBeck and his cohorts are race baiting and making a living off of it. They are no different than Sharpton and Jackson.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:54pmNo different than MSNBC, right?
Report Post »trueamerican40
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:28pmYou’re right—I “profile’ stupid people from smart people.
Report Post »Cosmos102
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:22pmWhen will that Shabazz cat from the Black Panther party be called in for a brain scan?
Report Post »TROLLMONGER
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:22pm“Phelps, who was interviewed by the journal Nature, explained that the area of the brain that detects race also is closely tied to an emotional response.”
That explains the Beckbots highly racist nature as most of them resort to emotional responses rather than intellectual ones. Makes sense.
Report Post »Cosmos102
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:34pm@Trollmonger… You sound nice. Real nice. Like you don‘t have a problem with people who don’t agree with you.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:43pmKinda like MSNBC… They run everything on pathos…
Report Post »wuggly ump
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:16pmMaybe we’re just wired to hang out with people we have things in common with. When I go scuba diving I’m hanging with friends that dive. When I’m cross country biking I hang with friends that cross country bike.
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:16pmCan Encinom’s inate stupidity be treated?
Report Post »beckwill
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:15pmSo, her study consisted of only white test subjects? Hmmmm. Did she pick up on her own subconscious racism? What a waste of a government grant.
Report Post »SacredHonor1776
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:52pmIt’s called confirmation bias…
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