Bias impacts our decision-making every day, often in ways we don’t even realize. From hiring and promotions to project assignments and even casual conversations, bias shapes our actions and perceptions.
Explicit bias, unlike its more subtle cousin implicit bias, is a consciously held prejudice or belief about a person or group. This means it’s a negative attitude that someone is aware they have, as opposed to an unconscious, automatic reaction. For example, someone may consciously believe that people from a particular background are less intelligent or capable.
Let’s explore some real-world examples of explicit biases and discuss strategies for minimizing their harmful effects.