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.
What is explicit bias?
Explicit bias is a prejudice that someone is aware they have. It’s conscious and intentional. People with explicit biases may openly express their prejudices through their words, actions, and decisions. Because explicit biases are conscious, researchers can measure them by asking people directly about their beliefs and attitudes.
Examples of Explicit Bias
Explicit biases can show up in a variety of ways. They’re often expressed in words or actions that clearly demonstrate a preference for one group over another. Here are a few examples:
Racial Bias
- Believing that people of a particular race are less intelligent and, as a result, not hiring them.
- Making jokes or negative comments about a particular racial or ethnic group.
Gender Bias
- Believing that a woman isn’t as competent as a man in a profession typically dominated by men.
- Openly stating that women are too emotional to be effective leaders.
Ageism
- Assuming that older workers aren’t tech-savvy and therefore not considering them for positions in IT.
- Claiming that younger workers don’t have enough experience to be managers.
Religious Bias
- Not hiring someone because they wear a hijab, turban, or cross.
- Making disrespectful comments about someone’s religion.
Socioeconomic Status Bias
- Assuming that someone from a lower-income neighborhood can’t be trusted.
- Expressing contempt for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Disability Bias
- Assuming that someone in a wheelchair can’t participate in certain activities.
- Believing that people with disabilities are less capable than those without disabilities.
How Explicit Bias Impacts People
When someone acts on their explicit biases, it can cause real harm:
- It can make it hard for people to work together. Explicit biases can cause microaggressions that harm team dynamics.
- It can lead to unfair hiring and promotion decisions. Explicit bias in hiring practices can keep qualified people out of the workforce.
- It can create a hostile and unwelcoming environment. Openly prejudiced statements and actions can make individuals feel unsafe and devalued.
Strategies for reducing explicit bias
Once you’ve recognized that you hold explicit biases, what can you do about it?
Here are some strategies that may help:
- Self-awareness and education. The first step is acknowledging that you, like everyone else, carry biases. Spend some time thinking about your beliefs and attitudes toward people from different groups. Then, do some homework. Read up on the history, culture, and experiences of groups you may not be familiar with.
- Promoting open dialogue. Encourage discussions about bias in settings where people feel safe and respected. Don’t be afraid to call out prejudiced comments and actions when you see them.
- Expanding perspectives. Broaden your social circle so you’re interacting with people from all walks of life. Read books, watch movies, and listen to music from different cultures and perspectives.
- Practicing empathy. Try to understand what other people are feeling. Be mindful of how your words and actions might affect them.
Confronting and overcoming explicit bias isn’t easy, but it’s a worthwhile endeavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an example of explicit bias in real life?
Explicit bias, also known as conscious bias, is when you’re fully aware of your prejudices and attitudes towards certain groups. An example could be openly stating a belief that “women are not as good at math as men,” and then actively choosing to hire a male candidate over a more qualified female candidate for a math-related job. This demonstrates a clear, intentional bias affecting a real-world decision.
What is explicit bias in the classroom?
In the classroom, explicit bias can manifest in several ways. For instance, a teacher might consciously believe that students from a particular socioeconomic background are less intelligent. This could lead to the teacher giving those students less attention, providing fewer opportunities for them to succeed, or grading their work more harshly. This not only creates an unfair learning environment but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and limits the potential of those students. It’s a conscious and deliberate act of prejudice affecting educational outcomes.
Summary
Explicit bias is intentional, conscious, and often rooted in stereotypes. Examples of explicit bias include discriminatory hiring practices, hate speech, and exclusionary policies.
Creating fair and inclusive environments requires us to identify and address our own explicit biases and to challenge them when we see them in others. Reducing explicit bias is a continuous, ongoing process.