How to Uncover Your Own Biases

Ever had an unintentional existential disaster? I keep in mind beginning to really feel these first pangs of “rising up” in my teenagers. I used to be sitting there consuming an ice cream cone and out of the blue attempting to determine who I used to be, whereas questioning at how a lot management I had over who I’d grow to be. I used to be a daughter, a pupil, a sister, a runner, a Texan – I strengthened these identities again and again, carrying them like a reputation tag to make sense of the world round me. However with out this context, who was I?

Although this realization was unsettling, I keep in mind feeling ignited with a way of curiosity about “figuring out myself” on a deeper degree. And so started the trail to better consciousness about how the small world I’d identified so far in my life, and the methods at play, had delicate, and even invisible methods of shaping my id and beliefs. I’m nonetheless on this journey of uncovering my very own biases, and I do know that is lifelong work. The power to pave my very own path from that day ahead was in itself a privilege, even when I didn’t see it on the time.

Current occasions have proven us that we now have a protracted solution to go when it comes uncovering our biases, particularly within the combat towards systemic racism. As a substitute of ready for others to show us, we’ve been known as to pay attention, be taught, and query a few of our long-held beliefs. Whereas this difficulty just isn’t new, this collective reckoning, coupled with the work of the leaders within the house who’ve been combating for change for many years, has surfaced numerous sources in current months. Books on bias and racism are promoting out, and we’ve had many conversations on our crew about how to turn allyship into action, how the information we consume shapes us, and how to embrace and embody antiracism. Whereas this downside isn’t just about people, it begins with us. Self consciousness just isn’t the entire reply — however it is a software that may pave the best way towards change.

So how can we grow to be extra self-aware and dismantle our personal biases? Psychotherapist Christina Fondren, LMSW, reminds us that “our brains are malleable.” In her observe, she makes use of remedy as a car to assist her purchasers dwell with better readability, goal, and connection to themselves and others.

In the case of biases, she factors out that “just pretty much as good psychotherapy actually improves mechanisms and connections within the mind, it’s also potential to change the associations and attitudes we type about others in our mind.”

We interviewed Christina about implicit bias and the way it shapes our behaviors, particularly from a younger age. She believes this work of un-learning unconscious bias begins with humility, openness and curiosity. With better self-awareness, we are able to method troublesome conversations with authenticity, and higher be taught what advocacy and motion is actually wanted. As a result of isn’t the invitation to develop, change and love each other one of many best presents we can provide and obtain? Scroll on for Christina’s steerage…

image by ashley kane

What’s implicit bias?

Basically, implicit bias is a results of the mind’s pure tendency to search for patterns and associations to synthesize info and make sense of a really sophisticated world. It issues as a result of it might have damaging penalties on each a person and societal degree. Implicit bias is linked to oppression and ongoing socio-political, financial, and well being inequalities. So, what we’re speaking about right here just isn’t merely an unconscious mind course of that happens in a vacuum.

Implicit bias really has reverberating oppressive after results, making it a human rights difficulty that deserves our shut consideration.

2 of 8

What are the costs of implicit bias?

These biases can have a significant imprint on how we act and move through the world. They can negatively influence behaviors and decision-making in the workplace, school setting, healthcare system, and other environments. Implicit bias leads to the development of preconceived judgments or opinions about groups of people and specific characteristics. It can lead to both individual and systemic discrimination, restricting freedom and access to equal opportunity.

To put it simply, implicit biases create barriers and limits on a person’s ability to achieve their full potential.

3 of 8

photo via Teva

How do privilege and implicit bias relate?

Implicit bias and privilege share the property of invisibility and are additionally deeply linked to at least one one other. Privilege is the unearned benefit of belonging to a specific social id – reminiscent of race, gender, (dis)skill, faith, social class, and so on. – that’s “dominant” in society.

The problem with privilege is that it can not exist with out oppression. Minority teams expertise oppression in that they’re topic to the judgments and stereotypes, unconscious and acutely aware, of the dominant teams with energy. In consequence, the implicit biases held by these with privilege in our society drastically form the bigger social narrative of minority teams.

Are there habits that perpetuate biases we already have?

Oh yes, too many to name! Think for a moment on who you follow on Instagram, or the TV shows and movies you watch, or the people you spend most of your time with. You might find a common thread in that most of these people look like you, talk like you, dress like you, and come from a similar socioeconomic background, education, and neighborhood as you. This can perpetuate something called in-group bias, a tendency people have to favor their own group or characteristics above those of others.

To put it another way, the biases and prejudices we carry are often reinforced by our habits and the larger systems of oppression at play.

5 of 8

photo by steven simko

How can we be taught implicit bias?

Implicit bias is a singular results of each nature and nurture. As we’ve mentioned in regard to nature, our brains unconsciously type associations and biases to make it simpler to absorb information concerning the world. Concurrently, implicit bias can also be a results of the socialization course of into which all human beings are born. Infants are like sponges, continuously influenced, formed, and taught by their atmosphere. The consequence of this paired drive is that the event of stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination largely happens organically and has its roots in early childhood. And over our lifespan, our surroundings and psychological processes can negatively reinforce usually deeply entrenched perception templates in the direction of explicit teams of individuals.

What are some ways we can uncover our own biases?

Start with yourself!
Educate yourself. A few great resources:
Practice mindfulness.
- Pay attention to the thoughts and associations you have about people with different characteristics and identities.

7 of 8

photo via milk decoration

How can we now have extra conversations about implicit biases and race with household, mates, coworkers, and so on.?

Be daring and provoke dialog.
- Lead with humility, openness, and curiosity.
Host a coaching at your office, neighborhood group, nonprofit or college. Sources to take a look at:
Begin a guide membership. Some nice books to start out with:

Can we improve, reduce or even “unlearn” our own biases?

The short-hand answer is yes, absolutely! But it takes earnest effort and intent. It requires a willingness to undergo the emotional and painful experience of acknowledging your own privilege and unconscious thinking patterns. The process of “unlearning” our own biases is both challenging and sobering, and also is categorically imperative and rewarding.

Focus on seeing people on an individual human level.
- Evaluate people based on personal characteristics rather than generalizations
- Avoid making black and white statements about groups of people and individuals
- Particularly when related to chronic illness or disability, use people first language. For example: a person who is deaf, rather than “a deaf person” or a person with bipolar, rather than “a bipolar person.”
Increase exposure.
- Expand your circle to people of other social, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
Practice humility.
- Listen to others with curiosity more often than you talk.
Shift perspectives.
- Generate authentic empathy and consider what it would be like to step in the shoes of a stereotyped person.
- How does it feel to be labeled, consciously and unconsciously, based on the color of your skin, how you dress, your religion, whom you love, etc.?
Countering stereotypes.
- When you find yourself with judgments or preconceived ideas about a person or group, consciously think of evidence that disproves this stereotype.