Biases are a problematic gift
People know Wellington for its caffeine and canines.
Recently, I saw a woman struggling with a leash as she was in line to fetch a morning brew. At its end was a boisterous dog whose energetic tugging resembled rebelliousness. My inner canine ethologist scoffed. Clearly, someone required “Dog Training 101” inked on their forehead. Pity and, to my shame, a tinge of resentment, clouded my judgement. How could anyone adopt a dog and possess such blatant incompetence in handling it?
The line, a sluggish amoeba, eventually inched forward. Then she turned around. Emblazoned across her chest, the “Adopt a Rottie” shirt. And there was my mistake, my bias.
Bias is a word that has a rich and nuanced history. Emerging from the Old French “biais,” meaning “slanting” or “askew.” It captured the image of a garment cut diagonally across the fabric. This created an uneven line. This visual metaphor encapsulates the essence of bias. It deviates from the true, a subtle warp in our perception that steers us down stewed paths.
Deviation and subtle are the two keywords that still carry weight today. Today, bias is more than a quirky linguistic relic. It’s a force that shape thoughts, judgments, and interactions. It refers to a preference or preconception that influences interpretations. These preferences can be conscious or unconscious. It stems from a complex interplay of upbringing, experiences, and mental shortcuts.
From the manager harbouring an unconscious preference for a certain name, to the friend excluding perspectives, bias is everywhere. It can distort the perception of reality and impact the lives in many unforeseen ways. It’s the silent judge, the hidden hand influencing understanding and chance.
Understanding these invisible threads is not a call for self-accusation or societal blame. Nor should it ever be. It’s a necessary step towards self-awareness and progress. By acknowledging bias, one takes the first step towards mitigating its influence.
Understanding biases, however, is not a quest for self-flagellation. Nor should anyone ever propose using it as a weapon to minimize the message from somewhere else.
Bias is not a singular weed sprouting that cripples cognitive thinking. It’s a sprawling jungle, with roots tangled in the soil of experience, cognition, and society. To prime oneself for bias, we must understand the ecosystem that builds this.
Reason is the only way to explain it.
- Our Upbringing. From childhood, prejudice is driven by experience and the influence of our upbringing. Implicit bias, also known as unconscious bias, is inherent. It comprises undesirable associations and beliefs about people or groups based on characteristics. These are not limited to just race, gender, age, religion. A combination of factors forms these associations. As Micheal Brownstein argues in his 2019 book “The Implicit Mind,” narratives that reflect our communities, and the polished covers of the media and textbooks all contribute to make this happen subtly. Before retaining conscious awareness, individuals generally absorb these basic influences. However, unspoken prejudice against certain groups can be developed and perpetuated.
- Our socialization. As we move through social arenas, the groups we belong to and the information consumed continue to shape biases. Confirmation bias is the tendency to look for information that supports existing beliefs. This creates echo chambers where biases resonate and amplify.
- Our shortcuts. The ability to think critically is one of the brain’s sharpest and most subtle swords. In a world full of information, our brains crave efficiency. Cognitive biases, or mental shortcuts, help us process information faster. But it can and often produces misinformation. “The brain is a jumping-off point,” says Daniel Kahneman.
Understanding the roots of prejudice is not about beating yourself up. Nor is it about assigning blame. It’s about acknowledging the complex influences that shape ideas. Identifying your own biases can provide far-reaching consequences and determine what matters.
Our biases filter and blur the inner lenses through which we perceive the world. they cast a long shadow, touching both the individual and society. Let’s delve deeper into the consequences of these subconscious tendencies.
- Blind Spots of Self. Unconscious biases create impenetrable zones within our self-image. They obscure our true strengths and weaknesses. We stumble around with an inflated sense of abilities and overlook areas that need nurturing. This myopia leads to missed opportunities and whispers self-sabotage. We build castles on sand, oblivious to the cracks already forming.
- Relationships of Miscommunications. Biases seep into our interactions, poisoning the well of understanding. Harsh judgments replace empathy, leading to misinterpretations and unfair evaluations. We lash out based on assumptions, not truths, we run the risk offending and alienating others. Our social circles shrink, replaced by the hollow echoes of strained relationships.
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecies. When harboring negative biases, they manifest into insidious scripts that unknowingly guide actions. We subconsciously act in ways that confirm those very biases, creating self-fulfilling prophecies. It’s a cruel game where the mind becomes both puppeteer and marionette, perpetuating the very limitations it created.
What about society?
- Perpetuating Inequalities. Unchallenged biases act as the fuel for discrimination, developing inequalities. When we act on our unconscious inclinations, we contribute to systems that disadvantage others. The cracks in the societal difference widen, and the threads of unity fray.
- Limited Understanding. Our cognitive filters distort the world, limiting our understanding of those who don’t fit our preconceived notions. We build walls of prejudice, hindering genuine dialogue and collaboration. Communication becomes a battlefield where empathy is lost in the crossfire of assumptions. Social progress stalls, choked by the weeds of misunderstanding.
- Erosion of Trust. When biases infiltrate institutions, they erode the very foundation of trust and justice. Decisions become tainted by unseen agendas, leading to unfairness and alienation. The scales of justice tilt, leaving some feeling ostracized and disillusioned. The fabric of society weakens, its threads weakened by the corrosive acid of mistrust.
The consequences of bias are far-reaching. It impacts not only the individual but the very fabric of society. They are a silent storm, distorting reality and hindering progress. But by acknowledging these unseen prejudices and actively dismantling them, one closes the gap of misinformation. The journey to dismantle bias is an ongoing one, but the first step is always the most crucial. Choosing awareness over ignorance, empathy over assumptions, and action over indifference. By doing so, we can step out of the shadow of bias and into the light of a more just and equitable future.
After all, misinformation is the unintended child of bias.
Okay, so what? How does one dismantle biases? Dismantling bias is a difficult journey, not a destination.
This endeavor needs a multifaceted approach, encompassing both personal introspection and collective action. The first essential step lies within the individual. Engaging in critical self-reflection simply needs to be done. Unconscious biases, often rooted in upbringing and societal influences, must be acknowledged. This is not an exercise in self-flagellation, but a necessary precursor to progress. Tools, such as implicit association tests and honest self-evaluation, serve as starting points.
Bias is a filter that needs to be occasionally cleaned.
Once acknowledged, challenging these internal biases at their core is a necessary step. Examining the narratives ingrained in experiences and critically assessing the understanding is vital. Seeking diverse perspectives is an important step in improving one’s vernacular against biases. By actively deconstructing preconceived notions, individuals take the first step towards understanding their own biases.
Fostering inclusive spaces within personal spheres and communities is equally important. Cultivating environments where individuals and information are accepted contribute to a broader scope. This involves challenging instances of perceived notions, allowing open communication, and understanding differences.
It is crucial to recognize that dismantling bias is an ongoing process, not a singular act. It requires sustained commitment, unwavering vigilance, and continuous learning. There will be setbacks, challenges, and moments of doubt. Yet, the first step in fostering individual self-awareness is the most crucial. From there, the awareness of noticing biases will grow. Before long, the next step will be made clear.
Back to the story. When I saw the shirt, the immediacy of corrections ramped over me. Shame, hot and unwelcome, flooded my cheeks. My hasty judgments, fueled by observation, had shattered the moment I truly looked.
What right did I possess to assume, to label, to dismiss?
The Wellington wind still whistled, but the internal chill of judgment had evaporated. Empathy bloomed in its place, serving as a reminder that appearances fade when knowledge is gained.
Maybe that is the simplest secret to countering biases.
Curiosity.
