Foundations of Unconscious Bias

Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness. Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups, and these biases stem from one’s tendency to organize social worlds by categorizing.

Unconscious bias is far more prevalent than conscious prejudice and often incompatible with one’s conscious values. Certain scenarios can activate unconscious attitudes and beliefs. For example, biases may be more prevalent when multi-tasking or working under time pressure.

Research proves most people have some form of unconscious bias that can marginalize co-workers, employees, and life outside of your career. This session sheds light on how unconscious bias reveals itself and ways you can be more self-aware and shift from awareness to action.

Objectives:

• What is unconscious bias and why does it exist?
• How does it affect us at work and everyday decisions we make?
• What can we do about it?
• Understand the difference between preference and bias that impacts others in a negative way

Outcomes:

• Gain awareness of personal unconscious bias
• Be able to identify it when it happens in the workplace
• Reflect on the impact of your bias on other people

Note: This is Part I of a series.