What do implicit measures measure?

an article by Michael Brownstein (John Jay College of Criminal Justice/City University of New York, USA), Alex Madva (California State Polytechnic University Pomona, California, USA) and Bertram Gawronski (University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts, Austin, Texas, USA) published in WIREs Cognitive Science Volume 10 Issue 5 (September/October 2019)

Abstract

We identify several ongoing debates related to implicit measures, surveying prominent views and considerations in each.

First, we summarize the debate regarding whether performance on implicit measures is explained by conscious or unconscious representations.

Second, we discuss the cognitive structure of the operative constructs: are they associatively or propositionally structured?

Third, we review debates about whether performance on implicit measures reflects traits or states.

Fourth, we discuss the question of whether a person's performance on an implicit measure reflects characteristics of the person who is taking the test or characteristics of the situation in which the person is taking the test.

Finally, we survey the debate about the relationship between implicit measures and (other kinds of) behavior.

Visual abstract

This article summarizes five ongoing debates regarding the status of implicit measures.

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