The term unconscious bias refers to a person’s hidden or misunderstood perceptions of other people. It is a belief system that a person may not consciously recognize as their own, but it plays a role in the decisions they make, the ideas they have, and their overall ability to work with others, including in the workplace. This is a topic that is becoming more well understood in the workplace because of just how difficult it can be.
“In short, businesses need to understand unconscious bias if they aim to create a truly inclusive environment within their company,” says Nicole Parsons Newfoundland, human resources professional and partner at MP Ventures & Trusts. “That may sound simple, but the entire process is complex.”
What Does Unconscious Bias Mean?
Unconscious bias develops over time based on a person’s experiences. It can include either positive or negative sentiments toward people, things, groups, or other aspects of life. A person with unconscious bias is likely to make snap decisions or have various thoughts based on these beliefs. When this happens, it can have a significant impact on the way people work with others.
One of the most interesting aspects of unconscious bias is that it makes people believe that when they are making decisions in those moments, they think they are making healthy decisions. Sometimes they may believe they are making decisions based on a person’s ability, professionalism, or how well they do their job. Yet, they may not realize that unconscious bias is still forming their decisions. That remains a key factor behind those decisions, even when a person believes they are acting properly.
Does Unconscious Bias Make Someone a Bad Person?
For a long time, it has been believed that when a person has any type of bias against another, for any group or individual, this makes the individual a “bad” person or someone that is unfair and unjust. However, science has found that the human brain is designed to seek out things, including other people, that are more like us or that seem more familiar. People seek out other people and have beliefs about them based, in part, on how similar they are to them.
In short, this does not make a person bad, and it means that it is very hard to know what true negative bias exists. And that means that, within the workplace or in any relationship setting, it is critical for people to recognize that unconscious bias exists and must be a consideration.
How to Recognize Your Own Unconscious Bias
Because of how prevalent this bias is, it’s quite important for people to recognize what their own unconscious bias is so that, when making key decisions within their life or even at work, they can step back and recognize when that decision may not be solely based on the facts present.
Think about your own unconscious bias. This could be any number of things, from preferring to work with one gender or not feeling comfortable around an ethnic group or a religious group. Even if you would not admit it and believe that those feelings are wrong, they’re still there. You need to recognize what they are as your first step to managing this.
Can You Fix an Unconscious Bias?
Many people today aim to be inclusive and accepting, and that’s a very good thing. Yet, it’s also important to recognize any time when you have negative feelings about a person – of any type – that are based on anything other than who they are personally, whether it is their job, the color of their skin, their beliefs, or other factors.
Recognizing what these are is the first step. Then, it’s important to recognize the value of changing those beliefs. While you may not be able to simply avoid them, you can learn how to recognize when this may be happening so you can improve your overall decision making.
For example, once you identify what one of your biases may be, make an effort to invest time in learning more about it. Dive deeper into what that group or belief system is that you do not understand. Try to learn why it makes you feel so uncomfortable.
Throughout your day, recognize what you may be doing that could be influenced by this. At work, you may be inviting people into a group because you feel more comfortable around them rather than their ability to contribute. You may become frustrated on the roadway and blame “that” person or gender for their behavior. Other times, you may have a feeling of being unsure when you encounter someone from a difficult culture that you don’t understand.
Finally, it is always a good idea to widen your perspective of the people around you. Whether you are working in a diverse workplace or connecting with people around the globe, you should strive to understand their customs, beliefs, and actions from their point of view.
Identifying your own unconscious bias can help make you a better decision maker, regardless if you are making decisions for your workplace, business, or family. Bring more awareness and cultural insight into your life to overcome these challenges.
