Before getting to know specific biases and getting to know, how to work around them, let’s take a closer look on what a bias actually is, how it’s formed and whether it’s a good or bad thing.
Bias – Definition
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a bias is “the action of supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way, because of allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment:” (Cambridge Dictionary) Sticking with explanation of language, you might come across the term “to be biased against” something or “to be biased towards” something. Being biased against something means to not favor something and being biased towards something means to favor it over something else. (cf. Britannica Dictionary)
Why am I explaining this? Well, I have come to realize, what I actually want to research are cognitive biases not bias in general. So I wanted to understand cognitive biases a little better.
A cognitive bias, is a predictable pattern of error I how our brain functions, those are very widespread. They affect how people understand and perceive reality and hard to avoid, they can lead to different people interpreting objective facts differently. Cognitive biases can lead to irrational decisions, they are result of mental shortcuts, or heuristics. (cf. Britannica Dictionary)
Additionally, one can differentiate between explicit and implicit biases. Explicit biases are conscious and intentional, individuals are fully aware of their attitudes and beliefs, which they can openly express and acknowledge. Implicit biases are unconscious and unintentional, they operate below the level of awareness, influencing behavior without the individual realizing it. (cf. Achievece)
How do Biases form?
Our minds can be like a collection of pockets where every experience is categorized and stored. This sorting process begins in childhood, helping us make sense of the world and react to future situations based on grouped experiences. It occurs automatically, as a mental shortcut to handle vast amounts of information efficiently. While this process is helpful, it also means our present decisions are often influenced by past experiences, which can lead to unconscious biases affecting how we view people, places, and situations.
Positive bias arises when something aligns with our own ideas or feels familiar, while negative bias occurs when something deviates from what we perceive as normal or preferable. Biases are not solely shaped by personal experiences but can also be influenced by external factors, such as media framing of situations, groups, or issues.
Biases can lead us to perceive someone as less capable or trustworthy or cause subtle discomfort around certain individuals. Importantly, these biases are often based on past experiences rather than the present context. (cf. NHS)
They stem from mental shortcuts, known as heuristics, which help our brains process information efficiently. While heuristics save time, they can lead to errors in thinking, particularly when patterns are misinterpreted or assumptions are made too quickly. (cf. Wikipedia)
How do the effect us?
Bias affects many aspects of our lives, often subtly influencing our decisions and perceptions. Implicit bias, formed over time through exposure to societal norms and experiences, impact everything from personal relationships to professional choices. For example, biases can affect hiring practices.Research shows that even trained scientists show bias in hiring, preferring male candidates over equally qualified women. Similarly, a study found resumes with “white” names were more likely to receive interview callbacks than those with “black” names, even when the resumes were identical.
These biases, often unintentional and shaped by socialization, affect not only professional decisions but everyday interactions as well. Recognizing and reflecting on our hidden biases is crucial to minimizing their impact and promoting fairness. (cf. Forbes)