recognizing personal bias and how it impacts your work Got bias? recognizing personal bias and how it impacts your work

Today’s climate and culture

Bias is not just about race and sex Age Socio-economic class Physical attributes (height, weight, etc.) Profession

Bias is also a two-way street When working with others, you bring your personal biases with you but those you are working with also have their own personal biases about you, your profession, and others as well.

definitions

Basic definitions Bias is an inclination toward one way of thinking, often based on how you were raised; a tendency to lean in a certain direction, often to the detriment of an open mind. Stereotype is an exaggerated belief, image or distorted truth about a person or group—a generalization that allows for little or no individual differences or social variation. Prejudice is a feeling toward a person based solely on their affiliation with a group. It often casts an unfavorable light on someone simply because they're a member of some family, church, organization, or profession. Discrimination comes into play when one starts acting upon an inherent prejudice they possess. Discriminatory behavior, ranging from slights to hate crimes, and often begins with negative stereotypes and prejudices.

What do we need to know about bias? There are two classifications of bias: Cognitive Bias and Unconscious Bias Unconscious (or implicit) biases are learned stereotypes that are automatic, unintentional, deeply engrained, universal, and able to influence behavior.

Framing this session Be receptive to the issues. Keep an open mind. Listen and share during discussions. No judging. Try to look a others’ perspectives. Be honest with yourself too.

Race and sex What we think but can’t say.

Group video discussion Remembering the ground rules for the group discussion, please discuss the following questions with members at your table. (20 minutes) Did anything in the video surprise you? What was it and why? Have you ever experienced bias in your personal life? Have you ever experienced bias in your profession? Explain. Have you seen bias playing a role in cases you have processed?

Personal video reflections Take the next 10 minutes to reflect on the following topics. Journal this for your personal reflection, not for sharing. Did I identify any personal bias today? If so, what was it? Will my personal bias impact my professional work in any way? If so, how? What will I do to ensure that my personal bias is managed?

Methods to deal with unconscious bias in our work and life Recognize that you have biases. Remember that bias is a human condition we are all hardwired with. Understand the nature of personal bias; particularly unconscious bias. Take the implicit-association test. identify any personal bias you may have discovered. Dissect your personal biases. Have discussions with peer groups about the topic of personal bias from other perspectives. Look for common interest groups. Learn more about other cultures. Be mindful of your unconscious biases and check them when they surface.