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The Incentives Lab
HBT-COG-0204 · Dimension COG · Cognition

Cross-Race Effect

We recognize faces from our own race more accurately than others.

Social·Mental Model·Grade B·draft· enriching…

Scientific Definition

We recognize faces from our own race more accurately than others.

Plain-English Definition

We recognize faces from our own race more accurately than others.

Feynman Explanation

The brain pattern-matches what it has most data on.

Core Principle

We recognize faces from our own race more accurately than others.

Mechanisms

Psychological

Pending editorial review.

Behavioral Economic

We recognize faces from our own race more accurately than others.

Neurological

Pending editorial review.

Evolutionary

Pending editorial review.

Sociological

Pending editorial review.

Computational

Pending editorial review.

Systems

Hiring and customer-recognition systems inherit the bias.

Inputs (Triggers)

Pending editorial review.

Outputs (Behaviors)

Pending editorial review.

Behavioral Signature

The brain pattern-matches what it has most data on.

Examples

Everyday
  • Eyewitness identification errors compound by race.
Modern (Organizational)
  • Hiring and customer-recognition systems inherit the bias.
Historical

Pending editorial review.

Famous Experiments

Pending editorial review.

Design Principles

  • Diversify exposure intentionally; use structured identification protocols.

Measurement Approaches

Pending editorial review.

Evidence

Evidence Grade
B (A strongest → E speculative)
Replication
★★★☆☆
Intervention Confidence
3 / 5
Consensus
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Limitations
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Open Research Questions

Pending editorial review.

Primary References

Pending editorial review.

Signature Section

The Perverse Incentive Lens™

How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.

Exploitation
Hiring and customer-recognition systems inherit the bias.
Amplifying Incentives
Hiring and customer-recognition systems inherit the bias.
Org Failure Modes
Hiring and customer-recognition systems inherit the bias.
Societal Failure Modes
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Ethical Considerations
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Redesign Strategies
Diversify exposure intentionally; use structured identification protocols.
Diagnostic Questions
  • Diversify exposure intentionally; use structured identification protocols.
Warning Signs

Pending editorial review.

Red Flags

Pending editorial review.

Intervention Playbook
Individual
Diversify exposure intentionally; use structured identification protocols.
Team
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Organization
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Policy
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
AI Implications
Detection
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Measurement
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Mitigation
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Responsible Use
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).

Interactive Mini Network

Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.

HBT-COG-0204 · COG
Cross-Race Effect
CEAPAbilene ParadoxADActon's DictumABActor-Observer BiasALAffinity / Liking BiasAlAltruismAsAstroturfingAPAttitude PolarizationABAttribution BiasBEBarnum EffectBJBecause Justification

Knowledge Graph Neighbors

Version History

v1.1.0 · 2026-06-28Initial auto-seed from corpus.