webber. h facilitating a controversial topic implicit bias
TRANSCRIPT
Implicit Bias
Objective٭ Describe what implicit bias means in the workplace.٭ Differentiate involuntary Implicit Bias responses when
working with diverse people.٭ Confirm that being implicitly biased does not necessarily
mean we act in explicitly biased ways.٭ Identify behaviors that may suggest bias or differential
treatment in the future.٭ Outline techniques that help debias perceptions and
improve interactions in the workplace and beyond.
GoalUSAID works with diverse people across the globe.
٭ The goal of this learning module is to bring to light implicit biases and thereby,
enable USAID workers to have a greater impact on the world they so humbly
serve work to improve.٭ Reflect on how we think, what we feel, and do without even realizing; how do
we individually see the world?٭ Use strategies learned and remember, life is about practice , the more we try,
the better we get!
Source: www.wikinut.com
Please keep an open mind
Content may arose feelings of٭
unease
Be open to unlearning and relearning٭
Keep an open mind; listen actively٭
Source: www.youcangoleft.com
The Brain’s Processing Capacity
Neuroscientists estimate that the human brain processes about 11 million٭
pieces of information in a second
We are only consciously aware of a fraction of that data, maybe 40 at most٭
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hZ98an9wjo
How you Communicate with the World?
DefinitionImplicit Bias: attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner; activated involuntarily and without an individual’s awareness or intentional control.
Source: www.psychologytoday.com
A Few Key Characteristics of Implicit Biases
Implicit biases are pervasive٭Favor our own in-group٭ Do not necessarily align with our declared beliefs٭Implicit biases are malleable٭
Source: blog.brainpathways.net
Involuntary Implicit Bias Responses
Those who look or sound different to us٭Those we struggle to relate to; no commonalities٭Those with different values or attitudes٭Those who appear weak or unhealthy٭Those who have very different backgrounds to us٭
Source: http://intradayfun.com/2013/04/just-stay-away/
Implicit Bias Negative Impact on USAID
May irreparably damage reputation٭Lawsuits٭Poor focus and productivity٭Debilitating to countries requiring assistance٭Loss of commitment/motivation to help٭Poor work atmosphere٭
Source:raisingsmallsouls.com
What do you see?
Source: www.playbuzz.com
Am I biased?Indeed, we are all have a bias blind spot.
Source: https://www.thedropp.com
What’s your Bias Story?
Source: www.halfwayupthemountain.com
DebiasingEDUCATION
• Contact• Positive exemplars• Environment
EXPOSURE • Awareness• Mindfulness
APPROACH• Higher level processing, e.g. ,writing• Reduced cognitive load• Checklists• Procedural / organizational changes
Education
٭ Awareness٭ Mindfulness
Be aware and remain mindful; intuition and implicit responses are valuable, but some decisions require a more explicit kind of thinking, a stare not a blink.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oZtx8vVnA0
Exposure٭ Contact٭ Positive exemplars٭ Perspective taking
Make contact with positive, diverse USAID colleagues and exemplars and always practice taking the “other” perspective; all contribute to decreasing implicitly biased response.
Source: www.executive-velocity.com
Stomp Out Biases!
.Foster awareness٭
.Hold yourself—and your colleagues—accountable٭
.Encourage USAIDers to STOMP out bias٭
Source: www.reelseo.comSource: kenj91.deviantart.com
Be a Change Agent
References
CARNEGIE. (n.d). Researchers Find Everyone Has a Bias Blind Spot-CMU News - Carnegie Mellon University.
Retrieved from http://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2015/june/bias-blind-spot.html
Kirwan Institute. (2015). Understanding Implicit Bias. Retrieved from
http://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/research/understanding-implicit-bias/
MTV's Look Different. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lookdifferent.org/what-can-i-do/bias-cleanse
Project Implicit. (2011). Preliminary Information. Retrieved from
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/takeatest.html