2. Men hate each other because they fear each
other, and they fear each other because they
don't know each other, and they don't know
each other because they are often separated
from each other.
- Martin Luther King
3. BIAS IN SOCIETY
A bias is an inclination
towards something, or
a predisposition,
partiality, prejudice,
preference, or
predilection.
Stereotype
An exaggerated belief,
image or distorted truth
about a person or group
Prejudice
An opinion, prejudgment
or attitude about a group or
its individual members
Discrimination
A behavior that treats people unequally
because of their group memberships
4. Foundation of Biases
Fear ↔ Unfamiliarity ↔Separation
Other influences also include…
Personal Beliefs – shaped by values taught by family and immediate
environment
Culture – shaped by one’s roots, ethnicity, country, religion
Attitudes – shaped by values taught by family, outlook in life, and past
experiences
Preferences – shaped by environment, prominent influences such as social
media or peers, trends
8. Hidden Biases
Who Me?
• Yes. Everybody has biases, hidden or not, that could be
manifested in certain situation
• Scientific research has demonstrated that biases which are
thought to be absent or extinguished remain as "mental
residue" in most of us.
9. Hidden Biases and Behavior
“A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts” – Norm
Grandy
10. Hidden Biases and Discrimination
• Responsible of the exclusion and unfair treatment of certain groups
• Proven present in hiring and promotion practices
• Proven present in court jury deliberations and other daily tasks
requiring judgments of human character.
11. Why is it important to assess and transcend our
biases?
• Equality centered approach
• Changing demographics
• To truly value diversity in order to treat all people equally
12. How do we move beyond biases?
To move beyond biases is to accept diversity and to adopt a
way of thinking and feeling - but most importantly, of acting
that gives us peace in our individuality, respect for those unlike
us, the wisdom to discern humane values and the courage to
act upon them
• The first step may be to admit that biases are learned early and are
counter to our commitment to just treatment
• Feeling unconscious bias through assessment rather then dismissing
them
13. • “The horizon leans forwards offering you
space to place new steps of change”
Maya Angelou
