Module 4: BIASES, STEREOTYPES, AGGRESSIONS, & PRIVILEGE
Part 2: Explicit & Implicit Bias
Everyone has biases. The biases that we hold are often categorized as explicit or implicit. The resources provided in this part will allow for the exploration of these two categories of bias as well as understanding connections to structural inequity and racism.
Suggested Goals:
1. To differentiate explicit and simplicity bias.
2. To apply the concept of bias to educational systems as a tool for evaluating classroom practices and necessary changes.
3. To connect implicit biases to structural inequities and racism.
4. To better understand your personal implicit biases, reflect on them, and consider next steps to minimize them.
Suggested Goals:
1. To differentiate explicit and simplicity bias.
2. To apply the concept of bias to educational systems as a tool for evaluating classroom practices and necessary changes.
3. To connect implicit biases to structural inequities and racism.
4. To better understand your personal implicit biases, reflect on them, and consider next steps to minimize them.
&1: Explicit & Implicit Bias
Every person has biases. Biases can be categorized as explicit or implicit. Explicit bias is a conscious bias. People may hold an explicit bias for different reasons, but explicit bias is knowingly expressed by the individual.
Read:
Explicit Bias
https://perception.org/research/explicit-bias/
Implicit bias can be more challenging to address because implicit bias is unconscious bias. People may not realize they hold and express an implicit bias. Because they are unaware of implicit biases, people may not realize or deny the impacts of these biases.
Read:
Understanding Implicit Bias
http://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/research/understanding-implicit-bias/
Read/Watch:
Two Types of Bias
https://nccc.georgetown.edu/bias/module-3/1.php#:~:text=In%20the%20case%20of%20explicit,behaviors%20are%20conducted%20with%20intent.&text=Implicit%20or%20unconscious%20bias%20operates,person's%20espoused%20beliefs%20and%20values
Watch:
Who, Me? Biased? (This is a series of videos from the New York Times.)
https://www.nytimes.com/video/who-me-biased
Implicit Bias vs. Explicit Bias: What’s the Difference?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEKd_7QL-q8&feature=emb_logo
Read:
Explicit Bias
https://perception.org/research/explicit-bias/
Implicit bias can be more challenging to address because implicit bias is unconscious bias. People may not realize they hold and express an implicit bias. Because they are unaware of implicit biases, people may not realize or deny the impacts of these biases.
Read:
Understanding Implicit Bias
http://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/research/understanding-implicit-bias/
Read/Watch:
Two Types of Bias
https://nccc.georgetown.edu/bias/module-3/1.php#:~:text=In%20the%20case%20of%20explicit,behaviors%20are%20conducted%20with%20intent.&text=Implicit%20or%20unconscious%20bias%20operates,person's%20espoused%20beliefs%20and%20values
Watch:
Who, Me? Biased? (This is a series of videos from the New York Times.)
https://www.nytimes.com/video/who-me-biased
Implicit Bias vs. Explicit Bias: What’s the Difference?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEKd_7QL-q8&feature=emb_logo
Implicit Bias: Concepts Unwrapped
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=14&v=OoBvzI-YZf4&feature=emb_logo
Reflect:
- Explicit bias and implicit bias are different forms of bias. Are they equally damaging?
- How can you be more aware of your implicit biases?
- What can you do to minimize damaging biases - both explicit and implicit?
Project Implicit at Harvard University offers online Implicit Association Tests (IATs) that can be helpful in identifying various implicit biases. The link below takes you to the preliminary information about IATs. If you would like to take one or more of the tests, you can click on “I wish to proceed” after reading the information and then choose from the list of IATs.
Explore:
Project Implicit: Preliminary Information
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
Reflect:
- If you chose to complete one or more IATs, what did you learn about yourself? Were you shocked by any of your results? Were there results that you expected?
- If you chose to complete one or more IATs, how can you use the results to address your own implicit bias/biases?
- If you did not choose to complete an IAT, why?
We need to be aware of the connections between implicit bias and structural racism. The National Equity Project provides an overview of these connections in the document linked below.
Read:
Implicit Bias and Structural Inequity
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5e32157bff63c7446f3f1529/t/5f173bc8da7d1115210824c0/1595358153358/National-Equity-Project-Implicit-Bias.pdf
| national-equity-project-implicit-bias.pdf |
Don’t Talk about Implicit Bias Without Talking about Structural Racism
https://blog.nationalequityproject.org/2019/06/14/dont-talk-about-implicit-bias-without-talking-about-structural-racism/#:~:text=At%20the%20National%20Equity%20Project,perpetuates%20inequities%20and%20harmful%20racial
Reflect:
The next part will build on the understanding of bias and explore the ideas of stereotype and stereotype threat.
https://blog.nationalequityproject.org/2019/06/14/dont-talk-about-implicit-bias-without-talking-about-structural-racism/#:~:text=At%20the%20National%20Equity%20Project,perpetuates%20inequities%20and%20harmful%20racial
Reflect:
- How are implicit biases connected to structural inequities and racism?
- How does knowing about these connections provide insight into addressing structural inequities and racism?
- What are your next steps to address your own implicit biases? How could this move you toward being antiracist?
The next part will build on the understanding of bias and explore the ideas of stereotype and stereotype threat.
