Mahzarin Banaji

Implicit Bias Test with Mahzarin Banaji and Lloyd Blankfein (24898224967) (cropped)

Mahzarin Rustum Banaji is an eminent psychologist known for her work in the field of social psychology, particularly in the areas of implicit bias, attitudes, and stereotyping. She is best known for co-developing the Implicit Association Test (IAT) with Anthony Greenwald in 1998, a tool that has been widely used to measure implicit biases that people may not be aware of.

Early Life and Education

Mahzarin Banaji was born in India, where she completed her undergraduate education. She moved to the United States to pursue her graduate studies in psychology. Banaji received her Ph.D. from Ohio State University, where she worked on implicit social cognition under the guidance of Anthony Greenwald.

Career

After completing her Ph.D., Banaji held faculty positions at several prestigious institutions. She started her academic career at Yale University, where she contributed significantly to the field of social psychology. Later, she joined the faculty at Harvard University, where she currently serves as the Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics in the Department of Psychology.

Throughout her career, Banaji has focused on the mechanisms that underlie unconscious biases and the implications these biases have for social behavior and decision-making. Her research has spanned various social issues, including discrimination, diversity, and equality.

Implicit Association Test (IAT)

The Implicit Association Test (IAT), developed by Banaji and Greenwald, is a psychological assessment that measures the strength of associations between concepts (e.g., black people, elderly people) and evaluations (e.g., good, bad). The IAT has been used in numerous studies to explore implicit biases related to race, gender, sexuality, and other social categories. This tool has significantly contributed to our understanding of how unconscious biases influence behavior and decision-making in various contexts, including employment, law enforcement, and healthcare.

Awards and Honors

Mahzarin Banaji has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to psychology. These include the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) and the William James Fellow Award from the Association for Psychological Science (APS). Her work has not only advanced the field of psychology but also has had a profound impact on public policy and social justice initiatives.

Publications

Banaji has authored and co-authored numerous articles, papers, and books on implicit social cognition and biases. One of her notable books, "Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People," co-authored with Anthony Greenwald, explores the hidden biases that we all carry from a lifetime of experiences with social groups and discusses how to confront and address these biases.

Legacy and Impact

Mahzarin Banaji's work has significantly influenced the fields of psychology, sociology, and beyond. Her research on implicit biases has sparked a broader conversation about the unconscious factors that shape our attitudes and behaviors towards others. By bringing attention to the implicit biases we all hold, Banaji's work challenges individuals and institutions to confront and mitigate the impact of these biases on society.