Know Your Biases

We are all unconsciously biased in the way we process information, and how we perceive and relate to people. Our biases are often culturally defined and include our views and opinions of people based on gender, race, age, weight, sexual orientation, physical ability, social class, and other characteristics.

Unconscious biases are often incompatible with our conscious values! Consequently, when we are tired or distracted, our brains tend to take the “easy way out" and act on unconscious biases. The good news is that unconscious bias can be counteracted. Read about how unconsious bias can be countaracted at at an institutional and individual level in the box to the right.

The schematics below highlighting 7 types of very common unconscious biases as highlighted in the Globe diversity workshop presented by Professor Sara Louise Muhr. They are all problematic in an interview process -unless we are aware of them.

Informational poster describing diffent types of bias — *Click for larger image*

Try the Implicit Association Tool

The Implicit Association Tool, can illuminate our biases along several demographic axes (There are several such tests available). The here suggested test is developed by ProjectImplicit:

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html

You might be surprised by what you find!

Illustration of a brain as an unconscious bias puzzle with the word 'bias' written in some of the pieces.

Unconscious bias can be counteracted!

At an institutional level:

Develop concrete criteria for performance reviews and hiring assessments
Offer training to management and staff designed help recognize and combat bias
Conduct surveys and CV reviews to evaluate systematic bias within organizations

At an individual level:

Understand the nature of bias
Seek out discussions with people from socially dissimilar groups
Work to be more aware of our own biases

Globe Institute

Know Your Biases

Try the Implicit Association Tool

Unconscious bias can be counteracted!