Read the Course Overview.
1. Recognizing Your Own Unconscious Bias
2. Observing Your Unconscious Bias Objectively
3. Form New Relationships to Overcome Your Bias
4. Avoiding Unconscious Bias when Making Decisions
[Course: Overcoming Your Own Unconscious Biases.] HOST: It's not enough to recognize that others have unconscious biases – you need to admit that you have them too. Once you've accepted that, you can start to overcome them. In this course, you'll learn how to recognize and observe your own biases. You'll find out how to forge relationships to help you check your biases toward others, and you'll learn how to overcome biases in your decision-making. Finally, you'll find out what to do when a bias makes a return.
After completing this topic, you should be able to
[Topic: Recognizing Your Own Unconscious Bias.] HOST: If someone told you that you're biased, you might well feel misjudged. You'd never make judgments based on things like gender or race, would you? You're not a misogynist or a racist, you know that. But the first step in dealing with unconscious bias is to get past the idea that only racists and misogynists are biased – the truth is, we all are.
The culprit is your brain. We've come a long way since the caveman days, but the brain still remembers the useful tools it developed back then. The survival of early humans depended on quickly distinguishing friend from foe. Today, the ability to quickly and automatically categorize people is a fundamental function of the human brain. Our brains can't process information about individuals quickly enough, so we group people into categories based on social and other characteristics. But when categorization works together with social and cultural stereotypes or prejudices, you may form unconscious biases.
The problem is, just knowing bias exists isn't enough to let you switch it off. But the first step in overcoming a bias is to recognize it's there – and that means admitting there is a bias. This can be hard to do – it's humbling to accept that you're not as impartial as you'd like to think. But when you recognize your bias and why you have it, you are one step closer to getting rid of it.
So how do you go about recognizing your own biases? One way is to use neurological tests and exercises to uncover unconscious biases and reduce their influence over you. Some free, well-regarded tests are sponsored by major universities and are available online. The results might surprise you!
Another way is to become more aware of your thoughts – particularly your first thoughts about someone. Not every first thought is colored by bias, but it can be, if it's based on someone's appearance, sex, or cultural background. When your first thought comes up, ask yourself if you'd feel that way if the person were part of a different group.
[Seth and Lisa are discussing a project.] SETH: By the way – Jeff wanted to know what resources we need for this phase, so I made a call and told him.
(ANGRILY) LISA: What? I'm managing the project now, Seth. Why didn't you ask me? Write down exactly what you said, and I'll go back to him.
(DEFENSIVE) SETH: Okay…what's wrong with her? I saved her from having to make a tough decision – she should be grateful. She probably would have wavered over it forever.
HOST: Think about that reaction, Seth. If Lisa were a man, would you have gone over her head? Or would you have consulted her, and trusted her to make a good decision?
SETH: What? I'm not… [Realization dawns on him.] did I – did I assume she couldn't handle the decision?
HOST: That's unconscious bias. And by recognizing it, you've taken the first step to eliminating it.
After completing this topic, you should be able to
[Topic: Observing Your Unconscious Bias Objectively.] HOST: When you've recognized you have a bias, what do you do? Just recognizing it isn't enough – you have to observe it, in order to change it.
(RELUCTANTLY) SETH: Okay, I may have a bias. It's to do with my female manager, Lisa – I may have assumed that she is not as competent as a male leader would be. What can I do?
HOST: Well, first you have to examine the bias logically and objectively. Ask yourself questions like, "How many people do I know who conform to my bias?" Make sure you think about people that you actually know personally, not just celebrities or public figures. Not all biases are about people – they can be about events or decisions – so think about other events and decisions that are similar.
Next, you need to examine your assumptions. Assumptions can be fact-based, in which case you need to assess whether they're true or false. Or, they can be opinion-based, which means they reflect your values, preferences, or feelings. Or, they can be projections – based on your opinions about the future.
Consider what the source of your assumption might be. Knowing where your idea originates from can tell you a lot about its reliability. Does your assumption make sense? Is it clear, and is there proof? Is your information accurate? And is there another way to look at it?
How about it, Seth?
SETH: Well, I suppose when I think about it, doesn't really make sense to say men are better managers. I've had a couple of female managers too, and they were pretty effective. Most managers in our company are men – I guess that's had some influence on my thinking too. Since women haven't often been promoted here, that confirms some assumptions I have about women being less competent, I guess.
HOST: Good! You're ready to move on to the final step – thinking about why you might have believed your bias. Was there some benefit to thinking that way? Did it make you feel less guilty, or did it protect your status somehow? Did it keep you from emotional pain?
SETH: Well, Lisa and I used to be at the same level. But then, she got promoted ahead of me – that hurt. I suppose it made me feel less upset to think she was doing a bad job.
HOST: Excellent. Once you break down your bias into assumptions and benefits, you can see the source of the bias, or at least the smaller parts that make it up. Doing this can help you to disarm the bias.
This type of analytical observation doesn't come easily to most people. But when you change your thinking to be more logical and objective, you can bring your biases to light without emotion and judgment attached. Then, you can move on to adjust your biases honestly.
After completing this topic, you should be able to
[Topic: Form New Relationships to Overcome Your Bias. Julia and Mary hold mugs of coffee, avoiding eye contact.] JULIA: I never know what to say to Mary…she's nothing like me.
MARY: Well this is awkward…I hope Julia doesn't try to push her weird religion on me.
HOST: If you've found that you have an unconscious bias toward a different type of person – maybe of another race, gender, culture, or religion – the first step in addressing this bias is to learn more about the people and cultures involved, and to focus on what you have in common with them. Expose yourself to positive images and other information about the group you're biased against – you'll find that even though they may act or look different from you, they share as many traits with you as they do differences.
Meeting people and getting to know them is one of the best ways to soften bias and find common ground. Segregation often happens by default, not by choice, but even if it's not on purpose, it makes people treat each other differently. Consciously choose to spend time with people of other cultures. You'll soon learn people's individual traits, rather than just assigning them ones based on stereotypes. The more time you spend enjoying the company of people from different backgrounds, the more your unconscious bias will dissolve.
Be careful of "tokenism" – that means making only a small deliberate effort to include people from other groups, without actually forming any meaningful relationship. This makes it seem like you've overcome your bias, but it doesn't actually challenge your beliefs. Contact is not the same thing as connection.
Your behavior can influence your thoughts. If you act friendlier to other people, eventually you'll feel more comfortable with them. Think ahead to how you will interact with people and brainstorm specific plans. Maybe there's a coworker you never talk to because they belong to a religion you've never heard of. Make an effort to say hello and make small talk the next time you see them…
[Julia and Mary meet again.] (FRIENDLY) MARY: Hey, Julia. Lisa told me you're a trivia fanatic, is that true?
(PLEASED) JULIA: Well as a matter of fact, I won first prize just yesterday – at my church's weekly trivia night!
MARY: Good for you! I love trivia, too.
JULIA: Oh really? I never would have… [She catches herself.] we should organize a quiz night for the team some day!
(ENTHUSIASTICALLY) MARY: Great idea!
HOST: Do you ever find yourself having a knee-jerk reaction to something or someone? If so, pause and reconsider your reaction. Step back and ask yourself if there's another way to view this. Collaborate with others to check your perceptions, and listen to theirs.
Challenge yourself to find other ways to see a situation, person, problem, or project. That way, it's harder to get locked into one way of seeing something, and you can analyze things from every angle.
When you work to overcome your biases toward people, you may find you make the most rewarding friendships of your life!
After completing this topic, you should be able to
[Topic: Avoiding Unconscious Bias when Making Decisions.] HOST: Unconscious bias is not always about how you view people – it can also affect how you make decisions. You may use mental shortcuts to come to a decision – we all do this. But sometimes, this can cause you to reject data or jump to wrong conclusions.
For example, confirmation bias happens when you favor information that confirms your previously existing beliefs or biases. When you come across information that's consistent with your beliefs, you tend to accept it without question. But when you encounter information that forces you to question your beliefs, instead of accepting it, you think, "Do I have to believe this?"
When you let unconscious bias take over, you can make poor decisions. But there are some simple things you can do to counteract unconscious bias in decision-making.
First, before you make a decision, discuss your thoughts with others, and don't be afraid to listen to opposing views. Look for people who disagree and information that challenges your opinions – you could ask someone on your team to play "devil's advocate." You can also get advice from someone who won't be affected by the decision – asking outsiders can help you get an unbiased perspective.
Next, don't rush to judgment – remember, you can always ask for more time if you feel pressured to make a decision. Taking time to reflect can help you be more detached.
You should also base your decisions on objective data. Keep your emotions out of it, as far as possible. Make an effort to disprove your decision, and to examine what could go wrong – and don't immediately discount it.
Finally, try to come up with multiple solutions to the problem at hand – doing this can help you to evaluate each idea, and figure out which one's likely to be most effective.
[Lisa, Julia, and Mary are in a meeting.] LISA: I know, I know…I have a blind spot when it comes to Callitel. And okay, I haven't been listening to anything critical you've said about the company and its products. How about this…Mary, you play "devil's advocate," [Mary nods.] then, Julia. Give me the negatives. [Julia smiles.] I'm listening. And let's try to come up with three or four other vendors. Then, Mary, you can evaluate their offerings and report back on Friday. We'll make the final decision together. Sound good?
[Mary and Julia look at each other.They smile and nod in agreement.] MARY: Yes, great.
HOST: Lisa is working to overcome her unconscious bias in favor of Callitel, and she'll likely make a better decision because of it.
As you go through the decision-making process, watch out for other people showing biases. If you spot them, you can respectfully challenge their bias, and come to a better decision together. You might also see your own biases in others – so you can use the opportunity to hold up a mirror to yourself.
Overcoming unconscious bias in making decisions will help you to be more objective, and to make the right call for you and for your company.
After completing this topic, you should be able to
[Topic: Combating the Return of Your Unconscious Bias. Lisa scans the screen of her laptop.] LISA: Phil Lemay – no, he's way too young. Millennials – they're unreliable. He won't take the job seriously. [She sighs, looks up.] Okay, hold on – I'm doing it again…
HOST: You've done a lot of work to overcome your unconscious bias, but what if you notice it's resurfacing? Well, first of all, it doesn't make you a bad person.
When you fight an unconscious bias, you're working to overcome your brain's primal instincts as well as strong cultural or historical influences. At times, you might experience someone actually conforming to a stereotype, and that can revive your unconscious bias. Or you might experience your unconscious bias reviving itself unprovoked.
The first thing to remember is that this is just one encounter. Try to catch your potentially biased thought, and remind yourself of that.
Then, ask yourself where your bias first came from. Was the source correct, or was it misguided? Was it logical, or was it subjective?
Next, re-examine your encounter. Was the stereotype really there, or did you see something that wasn't there because of an unconscious bias? Biases often revive depending on our emotional state, particularly if you are stressed or tired.
Then, check yourself to make sure your behavior didn't cause the bad encounter. For example, did you make a joke that unconsciously antagonized someone? If other people were around, talk to them about it. Be honest with yourself and with others.
(EARNESTLY) LISA: I had only one conversation with Phil. And okay, yeah, I was under pressure at the time…I had to make a quick decision…so I relied on instinct. But how many people under 30 do I know who are unreliable or uncommitted? Okay, so I had a bad experience with a young employee a couple years ago – that was just one person, though. And if I'm honest about it, I may have been overly hard on him. If I continue thinking this way, the team will suffer. I can't just ignore people who are under 30 – that's a large group with many talented individuals! I'll take a look at Phil again, I think…
HOST: Even though Lisa's bias has reappeared, it doesn't mean she has to start over from square one. The hardest part is catching your own bias. Once you are aware of it, it's not wholly unconscious anymore, and you can focus on thinking about it in a different way. Remember that thoughts are only powerful if you give them power.
Let's review what you learned in this course. To overcome any unconscious biases you may have, recognize and observe your unconscious bias objectively by finding out if your assumptions are fact-based or opinion-based; form new relationships with people of a different race, gender, culture, or religion to understand their perspectives; make decisions as objectively as possible; and fight the return of unconscious biases by becoming aware of your thoughts and re-examining them.
After completing this topic, you should be able to
Once you've accepted that you have unconscious biases, you can start to overcome them.
In this exercise, you'll demonstrate that you can:
Identify the techniques that can help you recognize your own unconscious biases.
Options:
Option 1: This is a correct option. There are many well-regarded tests that you can use to help you uncover your biases and reduce their influence.
Option 2: This is a correct option. Become more aware of your thoughts about someone, especially your first thoughts, and ask yourself if you'd feel the same way if the person was part of a different group.
Option 3: This is an incorrect option. Everyone has biases, and the first step to dealing with them is to recognize that they exist.
Option 4: This is an incorrect option. Bias exists to help you quickly categorize people, but the challenge is to avoid predetermining people based on your first impressions.
Correct answer(s):
Which steps are useful if you want to observe your own unconscious bias?
Options:
Option 1: This is a correct option. Consider whether you personally know anyone who conforms to your bias, to examine its relevance.
Option 2: This is a correct option. Consider whether your bias is based on facts or opinions, and think about the validity of these facts and opinions.
Option 3: This is a correct option. Think about whether there was a benefit to you in believing what you did, or if it protected you in some way.
Option 4: This is an incorrect option. It's best to do your own work on observing your bias, before you speak to the person you may have been biased toward.
Option 5: This is an incorrect option. When you're considering your bias, you should think about whether you know anyone personally who conforms to your bias.
Correct answer(s):
Identify the statements that describe good strategies for forming relationships to overcome bias.
Options:
Option 1: This is a correct option. No matter how different someone is, everyone has things in common with others.
Option 2: This is a correct option. Segregation often happens by default; if you break that barrier, you'll soon discover people's individual characteristics.
Option 3: This is a correct option. When you find yourself having a kneejerk reaction to someone or something, challenge yourself to see it differently.
Option 4: This is an incorrect option. "Tokenism" doesn't challenge your beliefs. You need to make a sincere effort to connect with people from other groups.
Option 5: This is an incorrect option. It's important that you take the initiative and make an effort to reach out to people yourself.
Correct answer(s):
Which guidelines can help you combat the return of your unconscious bias?
Options:
Option 1: This is a correct option. When you have a potentially biased thought, remind yourself that this is just one incident.
Option 2: This is a correct option. You should re-examine your encounter and consider whether you might have seen something that wasn't there because of an unconscious bias.
Option 3: This is a correct option. For example, think about whether you made a joke that could have antagonized someone. Be honest with yourself.
Option 4: This is an incorrect option. The fact that your bias has reappeared doesn't necessarily mean you have to start over. Just be aware that it's there.
Option 5: This is an incorrect option. Before you confront anyone with a potentially stereotypical thought, examine your perception to see if it's colored by bias.
Correct answer(s):
© 2022 Skillsoft Ireland Limited