YOUR NOT SO NEUTRAL BRAIN: The Role of The Amygdala in Implict Racial Bias
- OLCIAS
- Sep 1, 2023
- 2 min read
Talk Title: YOUR NOT SO NEUTRAL BRAIN: The Role of The Amygdala in Implict Racial Bias
Author: Eman Khalif Psychological Coach & Project Manager, Mölndals Stad Sweden Email: eaka_kaar@hotmail.com Volume: Brain, Mind and AI 2023_CN41_AA06
International Live Conference on Brain, Mind and Artificial Intelligence Date: September 2, 2023 Time: 8 PM Indian Standard Time Location: Online Conference Theme: Discover the Future of Brain Science and AI Integration
Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to investigate whether the amygdala plays a significant role in implicit racial bias and to explore the possible explanations that may underlie race-related amygdala neural activity specifically in White and Black Americans. In order to answer these questions, a literature review of several studies is presented. Most of these studies have shown that amygdala plays a crucial role in implicit racial bias since greater amygdala activation was positively correlated with greater implicit racial bias. Hence, subjects that showed greater amygdala activation measured by fMRI also showed greater pro-White or anti-Black bias measured by the implicit association test. However, a few lesion studies on a patient (SP) with a bilateral amygdala damage concluded that the amygdala is not critical for implicit racial bias. Further research is needed to determine the actual role the amygdala plays in implicit racial bias specifically when observing Black American faces. Subsequently, alternative explanations that might explain race-related amygdala activation will be discussed briefly. In essence, the familiarity explanation and the culturally learned negative racial bias. Keywords: Race, Implicit Racial Bias, IAT, Emotion, Limbic System, Amygdala, Fear Conditioning, Familiarity, Cultural Learning Biography: Eman Khalif, psychological coach and a project manager with 10 years’ experience in physical, mental, and social health working with people who are racialized and live in marginalized areas both in Sweden and Saudi Arabia. I studied few anthropology courses, and my Bachelor was in Cognitive Neuroscience, Coaching & Applied Positive Psychology. With many years of civic engagement with different grassroots movements in Sweden specialized in anti-racism, anti-colonialism, and equity along with my passion and fascination with the human brain, my interest in the link between the brain and racism was born. Beside my biggest passion (brain & psychology) I enjoy reading and writing poetry, fitness specifically functional training, martial arts, basketball and squash, gastronomy, travel, and experience different cultures. I speak four languages fluently, Somali, Arabic, English and Swedish as well as basic Spanish.
