Implicit may be defined as: 1. Implied or understood though not directly expressed. 2. Contained in the nature of something though not readily apparent.
In psychology, the term "implicit" refers to processes, memories, or associations that operate outside of conscious awareness or control. Implicit processes are thought to be automatic and effortless, and they can have a powerful influence on behavior, attitudes, and beliefs.
There are several key examples of implicit processes in psychology, including:
-
Implicit attitudes: These are attitudes or evaluations that are not consciously controlled, but are revealed by a person's spontaneous responses to stimuli, such as through their reaction time in a computer task. For example, a person may have an implicit attitude towards a particular race or gender, which can influence their behavior towards members of that group even if they do not consciously endorse such biases.
-
Implicit memories: These are memories that are not consciously accessible, but nonetheless influence behavior. For example, a person may have an implicit memory of a traumatic experience that is not consciously remembered, but still affects their behavior and emotions.
-
Implicit stereotypes: These are unconscious beliefs about a particular group of people that can influence behavior. For example, a person may have an implicit stereotype about a particular race or gender, which can influence their behavior and decisions, even if they do not consciously endorse such stereotypes.
-
Implicit biases: These are unconscious biases that can influence behavior and decisions. For example, a person may have an implicit bias against a particular race or gender, which can influence their behavior and decisions, even if they do not consciously endorse such biases.
Research in implicit psychology has shown that implicit processes can have a significant impact on behavior, and that implicit biases and attitudes can sometimes contradict explicit (conscious) beliefs and attitudes. This has led to a growing interest in the study of implicit processes in psychology, and in developing methods to reduce the impact of implicit biases and attitudes.