The Effects of Motivation to Control Prejudice on Implicit Bias in Psychology Graduate Students Engaged in a Diversity Course

Abstract

There is a dearth of research examining the impact of implicit bias in the mental health field. The present study examined the extent to which implicit biases are reduced among graduate psychology students who participated in two mandatory diversity courses (experiential and academic). Additionally, the present study examined the role of motivation to control prejudiced reactions and how internal and external motivation to control prejudiced reactions influenced the ability of graduate psychology students to reduce their implicit biases. Finally, intergroup contact quality and quantity was measured to address potential moderating variables. Results indicated that for those participants engaged in the experiential diversity course, there were no significant changes in implicit biases related to internal or external motivation or intercontact quality or quantity. However, exploratory analyses revealed significant impacts of internal motivation on changes in implicit bias across the sample as a whole. Findings and future implications were discussed.