Early implicit priming results were open to alternative non-stereotype explanations.

Evidence

Because Devine’s subjects may have imagined a White target on the second task, it is possible that this result was due to some consequence of the priming procedure other than its activation of a Black stereotype (for example, it might have activated hostility). Nevertheless, Devine’s study pioneered in identifying an implicit social cognition effect and in suggesting the role of automatic (unconscious) processes in stereotyping and prejudice. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition, 199

Categorization

• XREF: The candid methodological caveat (hostility vs. stereotype as prime content) matters for whether implicit scores track MOC’s specific defense content or a more general mechanism. — connects to: Implicit measures are required to study nonconscious gender stereotypes — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 778; Subliminal stereotype priming raises hostility judgments regardless of stated prejudice. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes,…, 199; Early-century concepts like cathexis and ego defense anticipated implicit attitudes — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes,…, 270

Broader Connections

• Subliminal stereotype priming raises hostility judgments regardless of stated prejudice. #responds-to (0.80) — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition, 199
• Implicit measures are required to study nonconscious gender stereotypes #qualifies (0.74) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 778