Types of Bias

Bias is a preference for a person, group, or perspective based on a combination of factors (age, gender, race, culture, experiences, etc.) often resulting in unfair treatment.  Everyone has bias, but it is important to consider what types of bias may be involved in your own thought processes as you read, write, and conduct research.

Implicit Bias or Unconscious Bias refers to our attitudes toward others that we are NOT aware of.  Examples of this type of bias may include:

• Affinity/Similarity Bias: Preference for people who have similar backgrounds, interests, or values

• Beauty Bias: Preference for people who fit the current cultural definition of attractive or good-looking

• The Halo Effect: Allowing a positive impression of a person in one area to influence our impression of a person's capabilities in another area

• The Horns Effect: Allowing a negative impression of a person in one area to influence our impression of a person's capabilities in another area

Explicit Bias refers to our attitudes toward others that we ARE already aware of.  This type of bias can lead to active discrimination against a person or group.

Cognitive Bias refers to the way our brains process information, affecting our decision making and problem solving.  Examples of this type of bias include:

• Anchoring Bias: Relying heavily on the first piece of information we receive to make a decision possibly leading to overreliance on initial impressions

• Availability Bias: Relying on information that is easily accessible possibly leading to overestimating likelihood of uncommon events or underestimating likelihood of common events

• Confirmation Bias: Tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing values and beliefs while ignoring or minimizing contradictory information; happens most often when we are passionate about a topic or idea

• Framing Bias: Relying too heavily on the way information is presented possibly leading to incorrect positive or negative associations with a topic or idea

• Hindsight Bias: Tendency to believe that past events were more predictable than they really were

1. Be open to learning about your own biases.  Try 👉THIS TEST👈, and see what you think about the results.

2. Be aware of stereotypes and when you are using them.  A stereotype is a widely held, often fixed and oversimplified image or idea about a person, group, or culture.  Sorting experiences into categories is a natural function of the human brain that helps us make quick decisions, but stereotypes can reinforce false ideas and lead to discriminatory behaviors.

3. Actively question your assumptions.  Be curious about yourself and notice when an idea or belief seems at odds with the kind of person you are striving to be.  Ask yourself questions to identify where these ideas and beliefs came from.

4. Focus on specific individuals.  When meeting someone or working with a group, focus on learning specific information about each person.  This helps you avoid making incorrect assumptions about a person based on the group you have associated with them.

5. Seek out opportunities to learn about others' experiences.  You can do this by purposely engaging in conversation with people different from you.  You can also do this through READING.  Read texts that teach you something about another person, culture, or experience.

Wolf, J., & Davis, T. (2023). Bias: Definition, Examples, & Types. The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. Retrieved June 20, 2023, from https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/bias.html