Most of us believe that we are objective decision makers and that our decisions are generally ethical and unbiased. Researchers suggest that we tend to be overconfident in our judgements, which leaves us susceptible to bias. As human beings, everyone of us has a tendency, inclination, or preconceived notion about something or someone. Furthermore, we are prone to an unconscious cognitive process called implicit bias.

Implicit bias is described as "the process of associating stereotypes or attitudes toward categories of people without conscious awareness." In other words, implicit bias operates involuntarily and without intentional control and it can have a powerful influence on our behavior. Implicit bias has been linked to inequitable decision-making in education, criminal justice, health care, and the work force. More specifically, it is linked to the mistreatment of minority groups, provision of lower pay for the same work, gender discrimination, harsher punishments for the same infraction, and restricted opportunities for higher education. Studies show that even the most well-intentioned and fair minded individuals are challenged by implicit bias.

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The current climate around race, injustice, and the influence of implicit bias has forced us to confront its presence in our day-to-day lives. Also, the work of dismantling implicit bias has become an essential task to foster emotional and social well-being and a more inclusive society.  

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The Nature of Implicit Bias​

According to cognitive neuroscientists, the majority of our mental processes occurs outside of conscious awareness. We are only conscious of 5 percent of our cognitive activity. Researchers estimate that the unconscious processing ability of the human brain is approximately 11 million bits of information every second, while the conscious mind processes only 50 bits per second. Kahneman's model, a widely accepted framework for understanding human cognition, divides cognitive operations into two distinct parts: System 1 and System 2. System 1 handles cognition that happens outside of conscious awareness. It is responsible for associations attributed to implicit bias. This system operates automatically and quickly, with little or no effort.  In contrast, System 2 is conscious processing, a much slower process that requires effort and deliberate concentration. The operations of System 2 are often associated with the subjective experience of agency, choice, and concentration. Together, these two systems help us make sense of the world.

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Implicit bias is a result of the brain's automatic and unconscious sifting of visual and verbal cues, of which become unintentional associations and preferences. Our brains create aural and visual cues for most of the sights and sounds that we hear as a form of categorization, and we use categories interchangeably for objects as well as people. According to the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, "Our implicit biases are the result of mental associations that have formed by the direct and indirect messaging we receive, often about different groups of people. When we are constantly exposed to certain identity groups being paired with certain characteristics, we begin to automatically and unconsciously associate the identity with the characteristics, whether or not that association aligns with reality."  

Categorization can be particularly risky when our decisions and actions are based on a belief or stereotype that skews our assessment of a given situation or an individual. Stereotypes often cause us to make assumptions about people based upon superficial characteristics. They also tend to be self-perpetuating, which leads to their deep entrenchment. For example, implicit bias caused by the automatic association of black men with negative stereotypes, can account for situations where it is more likely that a man is described as aggressive and intimidating, if he is black or a person of color. Other examples include favoring men over women, young people over elderly people, and white over black, indigenous, and people of color. 

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Strategies to Help Reduce Implicit Bias

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Researchers contend there are several conditions in which we are more likely to rely on System1 associations. Such circumstances include the following:

• Ambiguous situations or when there is incomplete information.

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• When there are time constraints.

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• During times that cognitive control may be compromised due to fatigue or sensory overload.

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Interventions designed to reduce implicit bias show some merit. Approaches include intergroup contact to allow for meaningful engagement with individuals whose identities differ from each other.  For optimal conditions, pairing individuals with equal status within the situation, in a cooperative setting, while working toward a common goal has been shown to help.  Exposure to "counter-stereotypical exemplars" who contradict widely held stereotypes is another approach.  For example, male nurses, female scientists, and African American judges. Studies reveal that this intervention may help individuals begin to automatically override their pre-existing biases. 

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We can take specific actions to become aware of our own cognitive biases. Studies show that when we are aware that race may affect our decision-making, acting with conscious intent can override implicit bias. We can continue to educate ourselves about other cultures, and assess our views for stereotypes and consciously adjust our responses. We can study history and look for the connections between the past and the current inequalities. We can increase our contact with groups of people outside of our own demographic and listen to different perspectives.  ​

Howard J. Ross in his book "Everyday Bias" suggests that there is a need for constructive uncertainty to help overcome the risks from our reflexive biases. He contends that in a culture that values certainty, it is essential to find ways to be more uncertain and to carefully question our confidence to uncover our biases. 

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Posted: July 7, 2020

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Disclaimer: Please note that the resources on this page are provided for informational purposes only. No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for professional advice.

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