Bias

Stereotypes, prejudices, or preferences cause us to favor a person, thing, or group over another. They are implicit attitudes, behaviors, or words that we exhibit in our personal lives and in the workplace. Some of our beliefs can limit our own possibilities and abilities, and others can limit how we see and define the possibilities and abilities of others. They are deeply ingrained in our brains, and we often think we are right, even when faced with facts.

There are three major systems in the brain: primitive, emotional, and thinking.

Primitive brain: "Fight, flight or freeze instincts," or "gut feelings." This is where our caveperson impulses live. One of the most basic and primal human needs is the need to belong. That means our primitive brain is always automatically putting people, places, and things into categories. Also known as the automatic side of our minds, where thoughts and feelings are reflected in our actions. At times, they may be completely at odds with our conscious intentions.

Emotional brain: Memory and experience. It helps us feel connected to other people, but also triggers reactions to stimuli about which we have high emotions.

Thinking brain: High-level processing problem solving, and creativity occur. This part of the brain sets humans apart for our ability to step apart from our own values, beliefs, assumptions, and experiences. This is also known as the reflective mind. Even when the thinking part of the brain is focused on higher-level processing, the primitive and emotional parts of our brains are still engaged.

Thanks to neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to create lasting change at any age, we can use self-awareness and assess the impact of bias on ourselves and others. Then we can choose to proceed. This can become a habit.

Bias Traps:

Confirmation bias- We tend to seek information that supports our existing beliefs. It's a way to filter and focus.

Anchoring bias- We rely on the first information we see to make decisions (i.e. First impressions)

In-group bias – Tendency to favor people we like or those like us while excluding those who are different.

Negativity bias- When we are more powerfully affected by negative experiences than positive ones.

Attribution bias- We judge others on their actions, but we judge ourselves on our intent.

Sunk-cost bias- Tendency to continue our current course of action because we've invested time, money or energy into it.

Adapted from the following resources:

Banaji M., Greenwald. A. (2016). Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People. Bantan Books.
Fuller P., Murphy M., Chow A. (2020) The Leader's Guide to Unconscious Bias: How to Reframe Bias, Cultivate Connection and Create High-Performing Teams. Simon and Shuster.