Outsmarting Human Minds

Shifting Standards

Drawing of four people in a police lineup

For subtitled video of this podcast, click here.

Albert Einstein, we would say, is a genius. Yet we might say the same for a puppy that can open a cabinet to get her snacks. Sometimes it makes sense to shift our standards based on context. But are we raising and lowering the bar when we shouldn’t?

References

Biernat, M. R., Manis, M. & Nelson, T. R. (1991). Stereotypes and standards of judgment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60(4), 485.

Biernat, M. R., & Vescio, T. K. (2002). She swings, she hits, she’s great, she’s benched: Implications of gender-based shifting standards for judgment and behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(1), 66-77.

Nelson, T. E., Biernat, M. R., & Manis, M. (1990). Everyday base rates (sex stereotypes): Potent and resilient. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(4), 664.

Credits

“Shifting Standards” was created and developed by Mahzarin Banaji and Olivia Kang with funding from PwC and Harvard University.

Narration by Olivia Kang, featuring Professor Monica Biernat

Sound editing and mixing by Evan Younger

Music by Miracles of Modern Science

Artwork by Olivia Kang

© 2017 President and Fellows of Harvard College