Implications of Unconscious Bias by Thomas Baker Outline

Implications of Unconscious Bias by Thomas Baker Outline: 1. Introductions 2. Definitions 3. Implications of Bias 4. Actions School of Engineering & Technology

Definition: Bias bias, v. 1. trans. To give bias to (a bowl); to furnish with a weight or bias 2. transf. a. To give a bias or one-sided tendency or direction to; to incline to one side; to influence, affect (often unduly or unfairly). b. To incline to or towards; to cause to swerve. c. To influence or incline (one) to do anything. Oxford English Dictionary http: //www. oed. com/view/Entry/18565

3 Possibilities: 1. Conscious Bias 2. Unconscious Bias 3. Unintended, but perceived Bias

Unconscious Bias (Barefoot, 2013) • “our unintentional people preferences that result from the process of socialisation and social categorisation” • Likely to be activated whenever we encounter people who are similar to us and those who are different to us. • For example, age based biases and ethnic based biases can impact on employment • Three types of bias: – Affinity (like me) bias; favours people like us – Confirmatory bias; search for information that confirm our existing perceptions – Social comparison bias; developing sense of individual and group identity – a need to see ourselves as better than other groups (Robertson, 2013) Laura Ellen , Blind Spot; what you can’t see might be murder)

3 Possibilities: 1. Conscious Bias 2. Unconscious Bias 3. Unintended, but perceived Bias

Implications to Learning and Teaching 1. Can be an obstacle to learning 2. May reduce student performance (Gladwell, 2005 ; Steele and Aronson; 1995) 3. Can influence Student’s or Tutor’s bias

4 Possibilities of Bias in L&T Positive Bias Student Tutor Negative Bias 7

4 Possibilities of Bias in L&T Positive Bias Student Tutor Negative Bias 8

4 Possibilities of Bias in L&T Positive Bias Student Tutor Negative Bias 9

4 Possibilities of Bias in L&T Positive Bias Student Tutor Negative Bias 10

4 Possibilities of Bias in L&T Positive Bias Student Tutor Negative Bias 11

What can you do? Positive Bias ♦ Cultivate Positive Bias ♦ Maintain Positive Bias Tutor Negative Bias 12

What can you do? Ideas from practice: • Learn names • Shake hands • Respect & Learn customs 13

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” Edward Burke (Possibly!). 14

References • • • Useful resources Barefoot, H. BME Attainment Workshop at University of Hertfordshire, 23/01/2013 Gladwell, M Blink, London: Penguin Books (2005) Oxford English Dictionary, Online: http: //www. oed. com/view/Entry/18565 accessed 1 May 2013. Robertson, D. (2013) Unconscious bias: business impact. In Equality Opportunities Review (232) Steele, C & Aronson, J “Stereotype threat and the Intellectual test performance of African Americans” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 69, No. 5 (1995) 797811.