Science Weekly
The science of racism, and how to fight it
Jan 23, 2025
Keon West, a social psychology professor at the University of London and author of "The Science of Racism," dives deep into the mechanics of racial bias and its implications. He discusses significant studies on unintentional racism in education, revealing how biases can distort teacher perceptions of students. The conversation also touches on systemic disadvantages for ethnic minorities and the surprising voting patterns in 'Strictly Come Dancing,' underscoring how racism infiltrates popular culture. West advocates for intergroup contact as a key approach to dismantling these biases.
18:49
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Quick takeaways
- Implicit biases in education lead to unequal treatment of minority students, affecting their opportunities and success compared to their white peers.
- Challenging systemic racism requires evidence-based strategies like fostering intergroup contact and structural changes to promote inclusivity and equity.
Deep dives
The Impact of Implicit Bias in Education
Education systems are often influenced by implicit biases that manifest in the treatment of students from different racial backgrounds. A study indicated that teachers, unaware of their biases, evaluated minority ethnic children's responses more negatively despite identical performance compared to their white peers. This bias not only affects classroom dynamics but also continues into higher education, with research showing that CVs with black-sounding names receive far fewer callbacks than those with white names. Such disparities highlight how systemic racism pervades educational institutions, leading to unequal opportunities and outcomes for minority students.
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