Addressing Unconscious Bias

Question 1

What is a bias?

Answer 1

The term bias refers to unfair prejudice either in factor of or against a person or group in comparison with another person or group. Biases, whether conscious or unconscious, may be held by individuals, groups, organizations, or academic institutions, resulting in negative or positive consequences.

Question 2

What is a conscious (explicit) bias?

Answer 2

Conscious (explicit) bias: views, beliefs, and attitudes are directly expressed about a person or group; person is aware of the bias and outwardly and consciously operates with biased perspectives and ideas.

Question 3

What is an unconscious (implicit) bias?

Answer 3

Views or ideas that are indirectly expressed about a person or group; person is unaware of the bias and unconsciously operates with a biased perspective.
- Refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our views, actions, and decision-making abilities.
- Research demonstrates that unconscious bias is automatically activated and affects our daily thoughts.
- These unconscious thoughts influence hiring and evaluation processes, which contribute to a lack of workforce diversity.
- Making decisions based on. Favoritism, or a similar background, is unconscious bias.

Question 4

Who does bias impact?

Answer 4

Any social group or characteristic is subject to bias:
- Age
- Gender
- Gender identity
- Physical abilities
- Religion
- Sexual orientation
- Weight

Question 5

Who is biased?

Answer 5

According to cognitive science studies, our brains receive 11 million pieces of information each second.
We can only process 40 of those details consciously.
More than 99% of out cognition is unconscious.

Question 6

What is affinity bias?

Answer 6

favoring or connecting with a person who shares similar interests, experiences, and backgrounds

Question 7

What is ageism?

Answer 7

holding a bias against someone based on age

Question 8

What is attribution bias?

Answer 8

creating a perception and/or judging a person’s behavior based on previous observations and interactions

Question 9

What is beauty bias?

Answer 9

believing that attractive people are more successful and treated more favorable and positively

Question 10

What is confirmation bias?

Answer 10

drawing conclusions about an idea or person based on personal interests, previous beliefs, and prejudices

Question 11

What is conformity bias?

Answer 11

allowing influence from those in the same peer or work group, regardless of if you share the same beliefs or ideas

Question 12

What is contrast effect bias?

Answer 12

a distorted perception when comparing two or more things that you have experiences, either at the same time or one after the other

Question 13

What is gender bias?

Answer 13

assuming one gender is superior to another or preferring one gender

Question 14

What is halo effect bias?

Answer 14

putting someone on a pedestal after learning something impressive about them

Question 15

What is horn effect bias?

Answer 15

viewing a person in a negative light after hearing something negative or harmful or associating a trait to someone due to a previous negative experience

Question 16

What is name bias?

Answer 16

judging a person based on their name and perceived background

Question 17

What is weight bias?

Answer 17

disapproving or discriminating against a person based on weight

Question 18

How does bias impact academia?

Answer 18

Faculty members making assumptions about students’ learning behavior and potential academic success by tying these traits to students’ identities and backgrounds, which hinders student growth.
Instructors treating students with physical disabilities as if they also have mental disabilities and require additional attention.
Expecting students of certain groups to have a specific contribution style – quiet, argumentative, or agenda-oriented.
Prospective students of color experiencing unconscious bias from faculty members in the following ways: being overtalked, avoiding eye contact, and limiting conversation.

Question 19

How does bias impact healthcare facility?

Answer 19

Underrepresented patient groups in the US suffer the effects of unconscious biases stemming from cultural stereotypes in ways that continue health inequities and disparities.
Unconscious bias can impact healthcare professionals in the following way: client interaction, opportunities, and promotion, and interprofessional interactions.
The method in which information about an individual’s process may be influenced by unconscious bias, which leads to potential disparities.
Focusing on patient demographics may lead to missed diagnosis and premature release.

Question 20

How does bias impact the workplace?

Answer 20

Unconscious biased behavior and attitudes allowed in the workplace influence decision making in the hiring and promotion process and narrows the pool of qualified diverse candidates.
Unconscious bias decreases a diverse and inclusive staff, which limits creativity in the workplace.
Unconscious bias also impacts innovation and productivity and the ability to form collaborative working relationships.

Question 21

Addressing unconscious bias is beneficial in numerous ways including…

Answer 21

Increased group innovation
Productivity
Creativity
Enhanced relationship and community-building
Greater inclusion and equity
Appreciation for diversity

Question 22

How can you address unconscious bias?

Answer 22

Meditation: practice mindfulness reduces the stress and cognitive load or memory resources that may lead to bias.
Perspective adjustment: look beyond personal viewpoint to consider how someone else may think or feel about something.
Training; incorporate specific implicit bias training in educational and practice settings.
Education: understand what unconscious biases are, how they present in various environments, and how to recognize them in yourself and others are necessary and progressive steps in overcoming biases.

Question 23

How can you mitigate unconscious bias?

Answer 23

Organization responsibility
- Leadership must commit to a change in culture.
- Leadership must commit to diversity training across the organization.
Individual responsibility
- Self-assess and reflect on personal bias and the potential for stereotyping.
- Question stereotypical thoughts and actively work to counteract them.
Co-responsibility
- Seek opportunities to promote and establish a diverse environment and experience.
- Increase cultural humility and encourage cultural awareness.
- Serve as a mentor to support equitable treatment and advancement.