1 Implicit (or Unconscious) Bias

What is implicit bias?

Bias is a prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair. Biases may be held by an individual, group, or institution and can have negative or positive consequences.

Implicit bias refers to a bias that we are initially unaware of, and which happens outside of our control (i.e. unconscious bias). As we become increasingly aware of these biases, they become less unconscious.

It is important to note that a person’s unconscious or implicit bias is not a personal defect. Everyone has biases, and it is our job to recognize and acknowledge them and find ways to mitigate their impact on our behavior and decisions, especially toward our students.

How does implicit bias affect our students? 

There are many ways that our implicit bias may affect the way we interact with and treat our students. For example:

• Our students come from diverse backgrounds and have different levels of preparedness coming in. An instructor may assume that a student who comes in knowing less is not as capable or as smart as a student who comes in with more experience in a topic.
• Along those same lines, an instructor may assume that a student who comes in knowing less is less ambitious than a more prepared student, and that the student will be satisfied with lower achievement levels.
• Instructors may expect students who speak with certain accents to be poor writers.
• Instructors may perceive quiet students to be lacking opinions or knowledge about a subject, and this may affect how that student is assessed (especially if class participation is graded).

How do you reduce the effects of implicit bias in your class?

1. Become aware of your own biases by taking the Harvard Project Implicit tests.

Biases can exist toward any social group, including (but not limited to) ethnicity and race, age, gender, gender identity, physical abilities, religion, sexual orientation, weight, and many other characteristics.

2. Work to reduce your biases.

There are several ways to reduce ones biases that are listed below. In short, an instructor can strive for mindful and empathetic relationships with their students, where the student is seen as an individual rather than an imagined group.

3. Prevent your biases from affecting your behavior.

Certain scenarios can activate unconscious attitudes and beliefs. For example, biases may be more prevalent when multi-tasking or working under time pressure. A list of ways to prevent ones biases from affecting behavior is also listed below.

Ways to reduce your biases (from ECU report)