Streamline Training & Documentation: Bias and Decision-Making

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Bias and Decision-Making

Much as we may want, and consciously try, to shed prejudices that we know are wrong, research shows that at an unconscious level, common biases persist. The specific biases vary from person to person, as does the strength of bias.

The good news is that one's conscious efforts can, in fact, counter the potential impact of unconsious bias on one's behavior and decisions. "To the extent that we can influence what we learn and believe, we can influence less conscious states of mind," explains Mahzarin Banaji, one of the lead researchers for Project Implicit, which draws on work done at the University of Washington, University of Virginia, Harvard, and Yale.

You can get a sense of your own areas of unconscious bias by taking one or more of the "Implicit Association Tests" (IAT) at the Harvard's Project Implicit site. Some of the areas tested are perceptions of gender/career, age, ethnicity, weight, sexual orientation, the disabled, religion, and race. If you take a test, your confidentiality is protected.¹

Keep in mind, as Banaji explains, the tests "are a research and educational tool to raise awareness. They should not be used otherwise. We hope that the test results will leave each person to decide for him or herself what they wish to do with this new knowledge that reveals they are sometimes less than they aspire to be." For further information about the IAT, what it measures and how, you can read through the Project Implicit FAQ.

From a trainer's perspective, the key is to ensure that employees are provided with experiences that reinforce rational and respectful responses to other people. From a manager's point of view, the key is to insist on unprejudiced behavior in the workplace.
__________
¹ The Project Implicit site assures visitors that "Data exchanged with this site are protected by SSL encryption, and no personally identifying information is collected. IP addresses are routinely recorded, but are completely confidential."

###

Labels: Critical thinking, Decision-making, Professionalism

<< Home