How do you Communicate with the World?

Implicit Bias

ObjectiveUnderstand what implicit bias means Understand involuntary Implicit Bias ResponsesIdentify that being implicitly biased does not necessarily mean we act in explicitly biased ways.Identify some behaviors that may suggest bias or differential treatment.Outline some techniques that help debias perceptions and improve interactions.

GoalUSAID works with diverse people across the globe. The goal of this learning module is to bring to light implicit biases and thereby, enable USAID workers to have a greater impact on the world they so humbly serve work to improve.Reflect on how we think, what we feel, and do without even realizing; how do we individually see the world!Use strategies learned and remember, life is about practice , the more we try, the better we get!

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Please keep an open mindContent may arose feelings of uneaseBe open to unlearning and relearningKeep an open mind; listen actively

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The Brains Processing Capacity

Neuroscientists estimate that the human brain processes about 11 million pieces of information in a secondWe are only consciously aware of a fraction of that data, maybe 40 at most

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How you Communicate with the World?DefinitionImplicit Bias: attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner; activated involuntarily and without an individuals awareness or intentional control.

Source: www.psychologytoday.com

Its a tricky, emotive subject, but as more organizations wake up to the damaging consequences of implicit bias in terms of workforce engagement and performance, we can only hope for more research to shed light on how best to overcome it.6

A Few Key Characteristics of Implicit Biases Implicit biases arepervasiveFavorour own in-groupDo not necessarily align with our declared beliefsImplicit biases aremalleable

Source: blog.brainpathways.net

Involuntary Implicit Bias ResponsesThose who look or sound different to usThose we struggle to relate to; no commonalitiesThose with different values or attitudesThose who appear weak or unhealthyThose who have very different backgrounds to us

Source: http://intradayfun.com/2013/04/just-stay-away/

It is crucial for USAID employees to understand their implicit biases in order to be a positive change agent in the world.8

Implicit Bias Negative Impact on USAID

May irreparably damage reputationLawsuitsPoor focus and productivityDebilitating to countries requiring assistanceLoss of commitment/motivation to helpPoor work atmosphere

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What do you see?

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Each and every one of us sees the world through our own colored lenses. What do you see? I saw a man playing the guitar, a women listening to him, and a lady standing in the doorway. Did you see the same things or did you see two old people? 10

Am I biased?Indeed, we are all have a bias blind spot.

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It has been well established that people have a bias blind spot, meaning that they are less likely to detect bias in themselves than others,(S. R. 2015, June 8). 11

Whats your Bias Story?

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Personalize by having participants tell a short story that demonstrates how bias exhibited by another affected their prospects or how bias they exhibited affected others

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Debiasing

Education14 AwarenessMindfulnessBe aware and remain mindful; intuition and implicit responses are valuable, but some decisions require a more explicit kind of thinking, a stare not a blink.

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ExposureContactPositive exemplarsPerspective taking

Make contact with positive, diverse USAID colleagues and exemplars and always practice taking the other perspective; all contribute to decreasing implicitly biased response.

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15Kang and Banaji summarize the research for debiasing through social contact as requiring that people: [Kang Banaji, Miller]be exposed to disconfirming data; interact with others of equal status; cooperate; engage in non-superficial contact; and receive clear norms in favor of equality.

An interesting study involving rising college freshmen illustrates the power of positive exemplars and these principles. Among girls who showed implicit biases for men before college, those who went to all-women schools and were exposed to women leaders lost that bias as compared to those who went to coed institutions where the bias became stronger. [Dasgupta & Asgari]

Research at law schools has also shown that As racial diversity of a law school increases, there are strong increases in endorsements of perceived diversity of ideas and strong decreases in prejudice. [LSAC]

Stomp Out Biases!Foster awareness. Hold yourselfand your colleaguesaccountable.Encouraging USAIDers to STOMP out bias.

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Be a Change Agent

ReferencesCARNEGIE. (n.d). Researchers Find Everyone Has a Bias Blind Spot-CMU News - Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved from http://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2015/june/bias-blind-spot.htmlKirwan Institute. (2015). Understanding Implicit Bias. Retrieved from http://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/research/understanding-implicit-bias/MTV's Look Different. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lookdifferent.org/what-can-i-do/bias-cleanseProject Implicit. (2011). Preliminary Information. Retrieved from https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/takeatest.html