News Finding: "Even when participants respond correctly, they typically shoot an armed target more quickly when he is black, but in response to an unarmed target, they indicate don't-shoot more quickly when he is white.
Paper Finding: Second, even when participants respond correctly, they typically shoot an armed target more quickly when he is Black, but in response to an unarmed target, they indicate don't shoot more quickly when he is White.
News Context: The study found participants "typically shoot black targets, armed and unarmed, more frequently than white targets," according to the researchers. "Even when participants respond correctly, they typically shoot an armed target more quickly when he is black, but in response to an unarmed target, they indicate don't-shoot more quickly when he is white. The message in the stilted academic language of the studies is clear -- and helps explain the recent shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland, along with countless others.
Paper Context: First, participants typically shoot Black targets, armed and unarmed, more frequently than White targets. Second, even when participants respond correctly, they typically shoot an armed target more quickly when he is Black, but in response to an unarmed target, they indicate don't shoot more quickly when he is White. We argue that participants quickly categorize targets according to race and activate related stereotypes, including the concept of danger .