SELECTING STEREOTYPES

Selected to Stereotype

Selecting for Schemas

Stereotypes with Schemas

Associations contradict Values

Reality Puzzle

Unintentional Self-Interest

Implicit Bias

2004 study by Will A. Cunningham at Ohio State University*

30 milliseconds = activity in amygdala = vigilance*

.5 seconds = activity in prefrontal = internal conflict*

*Carpenter, Siri. “Buried Prejudice” Scientific American Mind. April/May 2008: p. 35.

Internal Conflict = Control

The frontal brain areas that are activated during slightly longer exposure to the faces could underlie the will to overcome bias

Stereotypes are Memes

Memes

Equality

Fairness

Tolerance

Stereotypes throughout History

Negative stereotypes were more pervasive in the past

In-Group versus ~In- Group

In America, there were many groups competing for survival

Structure to Support Equality

1920 – National Women’s Suffrage

1965 – Voting Rights Act

2003 – Same Sex Marriage

Memes vs Genes and Morality

Memetic selection seems to take control with stereotypes

We are stuck with our stone-age brains, but still have control over our behaviors despite predispositions

Closer to an Entirely Egalitarian Society

Memetic Squirrel of Equality Wins

Zen and the Art of Brain Rewiring