Final answer:
Implicit attitudes can be measured using the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and other indirect methods such as observational studies or analyses of behavioral data to reveal unconscious biases people may not explicitly admit.
Step-by-step explanation:
Attitudes towards sensitive issues such as racism or sexism can be measured using tools that assess implicit attitudes, which reveal unconscious biases that individuals might not want to express explicitly. One can measure these implicit attitudes using tests like the Implicit Association Test (IAT), which records the strength of associations between concepts (like black or white, male or female) and evaluations (like good or bad) or stereotypes (like athletic or clumsy). This test works by measuring response times to various pairings; faster pairings are assumed to be more strongly implicitly associated in the test-taker's mind.
Beyond the IAT, observational studies or peer reports can also be used to infer someone's attitudes indirectly by witnessing their behaviors in real-life situations. Moreover, analyses of behavioral data, such as voting patterns or social media activity, can provide insights into attitudes that individuals might not explicitly disclose.