Testing subconscious racism

A London Metropolitan University professor is developing a test intended to reveal negative associations that potential employees could have toward ethnic groups. In the test, applicants have to put images of black and white faces into positive and negative categories by quickly using the arrow keys on the keyboard. The speed of the test aims to avoid cognitive control which is the brief, but significant time lapse needed to give an acceptable answer over an instinctive one. Researchers believe that by unmasking subconscious biases, organisations and individuals will be better able to combat the problem.
But many condemn a test where individuals are penalised for their deep subconscious thoughts. Philip Hammond, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: “What we require from employees is good work and decent behaviour. To start saying that we are going to discriminate against people because of some perceived subconscious bias is completely the wrong approach.”