Unconscious bias, also known as implicit bias, is a learned assumption, belief, or attitude that exists in the subconscious. Everyone has these biases and uses them as mental shortcuts for faster information-processing. While bias is a normal part of human brain function, it can often reinforce stereotypes. As a result, unconscious biases can have a big influence on our limiting beliefs and behaviors. When this translates to our professional lives, it can affect the way we hire, interact with colleagues, and make decisions.

Unconscious biases manifest in different ways and have varying consequences. WTS-Boston Diversity Committee is inviting people from all ages, abilities, genders, races, ethnicities, and income levels to join us in raising awareness and changing our own behavior. To combat unconscious bias, learn about different types of biases, how they might surface at work, and how to avoid them so we can build a more inclusive and diverse workplace. We challenge everyone to become more conscious of their unconscious biases and have provided information and resources below. Learn how to identify your own biases and work to mitigate their effect in the workplace.

Types of unconscious bias:

• Gender bias, ageism, name bias
• Beauty bias, halo effect, horns effect
• Confirmation bias, conformity bias, affinity bias
• Contrast effect, status quo bias, anchor bias, authority bias
• Overconfidence bias, perception bias, illusory correlation
• Affect heuristic, recency bias, idiosyncratic rater bias

See more here and through resources provided below for more details about the different types of bias and learn how to avoid it.

Resources:

• Yassmin Abdel-Magied: What does my headscarf mean to you? | TED Talk
• How To Tackle Unconscious Bias In Your Workplace (forbes.com)
• Unconscious Bias Training That Works (hbr.org)
• Implicit Bias Resource Guide (shrm.org)

Image courtesy:  https://www.iamcp.org/news/512304/Unconscious-Bias-Training.htm

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