| (Illustrative Only) Patriots vs. Nationalists |
Getting Explicit About Implicit Bias in the Courts
- Implicit bias refers to unconscious mental associations or stereotypes that operate automatically and can influence judgment without awareness or intent.
- Judges, like most individuals, possess implicit biases (e.g., racial or gender associations), but professional norms and awareness can help them avoid acting on these biases in decision-making.
- Research shows that bias is more likely to influence decisions when cues are subtle or indirect, whereas explicit awareness of factors like race can reduce biased outcomes.
- Implicit bias can still affect judicial outcomes in areas such as sentencing and evaluations, particularly when cases involve ambiguity or rely on intuition rather than structured analysis.
- Addressing implicit bias requires deliberate strategies, including increased awareness, training, and institutional safeguards, to promote fairness and maintain public confidence in the justice system.
References (APA):
Rachlinski, J. J., Wistrich, A. J., & Donald, B. B. (2020). Getting explicit about implicit bias. Judicature, 104(3). https://judicature.duke.edu/articles/getting-explicit-about-implicit-bias/
Patriotism, Critical Thinking, and the Civil Liberties–National Security Tradeoff
*They are using what appears to be patriotism versus blind patriotism. Blind patriotism seems more akin to blind nationalism.
- The study distinguishes between constructive patriotism (reflective and questioning) and blind patriotism (unquestioning support), showing they influence political attitudes in different ways.
- Critical thinking is positively associated with constructive patriotism and negatively associated with blind patriotism, suggesting that more analytical individuals are more likely to question government actions.
- Individuals high in blind patriotism tend to prioritize national security over civil liberties, while those high in constructive patriotism are more supportive of protecting civil liberties.
- The relationships between patriotism types and political values are significant but differ in direction, with blind patriotism more strongly linked to security-focused attitudes.
- Broader factors such as militarism, political ideology, and support for war are interconnected with patriotism and help explain how individuals balance security concerns and individual freedoms.
References (APA):
Williams, R. L., Foster, L. N., & Krohn, K. R. (2008). Relationship of patriotism measures to critical thinking and emphasis on civil liberties versus national security. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 8(1), 139–156. https://www.academia.edu/26190076/Relationship_of_Patriotism_Measures_to_Critical_Thinking_and_Emphasis_on_Civil_Liberties_versus_National_Security

