Reducing Implicit Cognitive Biases Through the Performing Arts

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Arts and Humanities

Background:

• Implicit biases, or unconscious attitudes, can influence perceptions and behaviors.
• Previous interventions to reduce implicit bias have shown mixed results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if a 14-day performing arts training program can reduce implicit biases.
• To assess changes in implicit bias towards physical illness using the Implicit Association Test (IAT).

Main Methods:

• Healthy participants completed the IAT before and after a 14-day performing arts training program.
• Control groups completed two IAT sessions with a similar time delay but without the training.

Main Results:

• Participants in the performing arts program showed a significant reduction in implicit bias towards illness on the post-training IAT.
• No significant reduction in implicit bias was observed in the control groups.

Conclusions:

• Performing arts training may be an effective intervention for reducing implicit biases in the general population.
• This study highlights a novel approach to bias reduction through creative engagement.