IAT – Implicit Association Test

While exploring iTunes U recently I downloaded a couple of psychology lectures from the University of Washington. During one the lectures they talked about the IAT (Implicit Association Test). These are self-administered tests that will help you find out your unconscious levels of prejudice about age, gender, race, self-esteem, and mathematics vs. art. (Wikipedia Entry) At the Harvard IAT web site you can take a variety of IATs. I took one comparing Canada and the United States and one comparing Obama and McCain. It was interesting learning about my natural biases.

Race simulation...

In about two weeks, I'll run my second half-marathon race of the year. The race in Ottawa will be a little different this year as they completely redesigned the course. Last weekend, I ran the course for the first time and used the training run to get a feel for the course. There is only one grade/hill which will come while I am still fresh and strong. It was an interesting run as it was sponsored by a local running club, so I jogged the course with a cardiologist and a stock broker.

I still find new uses for my Ipod. I downloaded a term's worth of lectures (24) to my Ipod for a course in nutrition science. It is a really interesting course and I hope to apply some of the concepts to my training. The course is being given by one of the experts in nutrition science at University of California at Berkeley. I am still amazed by the contents of the Istore/Itunes.