Have you ever intentionally locked your car door when you saw a sketch person walking by? Have you ever crossed the street when you saw a person of color walking your direction? These actions are called unconscious biases.
Vanderbilt University defines unconscious bias as prejudice or unsupported judgments in favor of or against one thing, person, or group as compared to another, in a way that is usually considered unfair. Many researchers suggest that unconscious bias occurs automatically as the brain makes quick judgments based on past experiences and background. As a result of unconscious biases, certain people benefit and other people are penalized.
Blindspot by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald explore hidden biases that we all carry from a lifetime of experiences with social groups – age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, social class, sexuality, disability status, or nationality. The title is a metaphor to capture that portion of the mind that houses hidden or unconscious biases. The authors use it to ask about the extent to which social groups – without our awareness or conscious control – shape our likes and dislikes, our judgments about people’s character, abilities, and potential.
If you get a chance, come back and let us know what you think about this literature. Or if you’ve already had a chance to read it, share your thoughts with us. We’re always open for healthy discussion.
