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