psychology series

Implicit bias: how should psychological science inform the law?

Wed. Feb.18, 2015      7–8:30 p.m.

Kane Hall, room 130, UW Seattle campus

Watch videos of these lectures.

Watch part one now.
Watch part two now.

In the last 30 years, psychology has undergone an “implicit revolution.” Occurring outside of awareness, implicit bias disadvantages segments of society, intrudes on law enforcement and affects the administration of justice. Anthony Greenwald, professor of psychology at the University of Washington, and Jerry Kang, professor of law and Asian American studies at UCLA, each examine the impact such unconscious discriminations may have on society.

In Discriminating without Awareness of Discriminating, professor Greenwald discusses how intergroup discrimination can occur without prejudicial hostility, conscious intent or awareness of acting in discriminatory fashion. This lecture includes interactive demonstrations that judgments and behaviors operate potently outside of awareness, along with evidence that unconscious processes can routinely sustain intergroup disadvantages in American society.

Professor Kang approaches the topic of discrimination from the perspective of behavioral realism. The Arc of “Intent:” How Psychological Science Should Inform the Law argues that implicit bias findings ought to have legal and policy implications. This lecture explores these issues, focusing on the proper role that conscious intent should play in constitutional Equal Protection doctrine and federal antidiscrimination statutes.

The 10th Annual Allen L. Edwards Psychology Lectures presents The Psychological Science of Inequity and Inequality. These free lectures discuss the latest research on factors affecting quality of life for underrepresented and non-majority individuals. As part of this popular series, notable experts from across the nation come to the University of Washington to co-present with faculty from the UW Department of Psychology.

Watch part one now.
Watch part two now.