implicit bias
"A bias or prejudice that is present but not consciously held or recognized"
The collection of short videos and resources below offer a look at how bias, prejudgment, and external factors can unintentionally influence the outcome of decisions. These resources encourage an introspective awareness for anyone using the CommonSpirit Ethics Discernment Framework.
POV Series - PBS
Independent filmmakers presenting unique stories and characters with a point of view focused on implicit bias
Peanut Butter, Jelly and Racism
What is implicit bias? NYT/POV's Saleem Reshamwala unscrews the lid on the unfair effects of our subconscious.
2m 26s video
Check Our Bias to Wreck Our Bias
Signs of implicit bias lurk within our inboxes, social networks and the patterns of our daily lives. Looking at our own data can help us change our ways.
3m video
Snacks and Punishment
Need justification for taking breaks and naps? Turns out those activities could make us less biased toward people of other races.
2m 5s video
High Heels, Violins and a Warning
Orchestras made clever changes to deal with centuries-old bias. If an orchestra can do it, there's hope for all of us — but a final word of caution.
1m 22s video
TED Talks
A curated selection of TED talks featuring a diverse collection of speakers exploring implicit bias
The Paradox of Choice
Psychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.
19m 24s video
Listening to Shame
Shame is an unspoken epidemic, the secret behind many forms of broken behavior. Brené Brown, whose earlier talk on vulnerability became a viral hit, explores what can happen when people confront their shame head-on. Her own humor, humanity and vulnerability shine through every word.
20m 22s video
How to Stay Calm When you Know You'll be Stressed
Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin thinks there's a way to avoid making critical mistakes in stressful situations, when your thinking becomes clouded -- the pre-mortem. "We all are going to fail now and then," he says. "The idea is to think ahead to what those failures might be."
12m 11s video
10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation
Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of listening. In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations.
11m 21s video
Are We in Control of Our Own Decisions?
Behavioral economist Dan Ariely, the author of Predictably Irrational, uses classic visual illusions and his own counterintuitive (and sometimes shocking) research findings to show how we're not as rational as we think when we make decisions.
17m 05s video
Analytical Biases
Analytical biases or logical fallacies are errors in thinking based on omissions, oversights, or unspoken assumptions.
Here are a few common ones to be aware of (hover over tiles to see examples):
CONFIRMATION BIAS
DEFINITION
The tendency to interpret, favor, or look for evidence that simply confirms a pre-existing belief.
CONFIRMATION BIAS
EXAMPLE
I love electric cars so much that I won’t read any studies or articles that talk about problems with them.
SUNK COST FALLACY
DEFINITION
Continuing a course of action due to the investment of time and resources already put into it.
SUNK COST FALLACY
EXAMPLE
This stock has gone down 90% in two months, but I invested too much money so I can’t give up now.
BEGGING THE QUESTION
DEFINITION
Making an unidentified or unknown assumption.
BEGGING THE QUESTION
EXAMPLE
Hermandad is the best poem ever because Octavio Paz wrote it and he’s the best poet who ever lived.
HALO EFFECT
DEFINITION
Assuming an argument is correct due to the perceived goodness of the person who said it.
HALO EFFECT
EXAMPLE
Well, if Eleanor Roosevelt said it then it must be true because she’s a wonderful person.
APPEAL TO TRADITION
DEFINITION
Assuming that the way something has “always” been done is the best way.
APPEAL TO TRADITION
EXAMPLE
Keyboards have always started with QWERTY. That’s how it’s done so that’s why we will keep doing it.
FALSE DICHOTOMY
DEFINITION
Assuming there are only two possible choices, options, or causes without justification.
FALSE DICHOTOMY
EXAMPLE
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate or vanilla?
POST HOC
DEFINITION
Assuming causal relation between two events because one occurs after another.”
POST HOC
EXAMPLE
People often go swimming after spring break, so spring break causes people to swim more.
SURVIVORSHIP BIAS
DEFINITION
Making inferences of assumptions based only on information primarily on survivors rather than a representative population.
SURVIVORSHIP BIAS
EXAMPLE
Older houses may seem stronger or more beautiful, but that’s because uglier, weaker buildings were torn down.
STRAW MAN
DEFINITION
Crafting an intentionally weak counter-argument to make your position look better.
STRAW MAN
EXAMPLE
Climate change says the earth is getting warmer. But it gets cold every January so climate change isn’t real.
CIRCULAR REASONING
DEFINITION
The argument’s premise and conclusion are equivalent
CIRCULAR REASONING
EXAMPLE
The number one song right now is so popular because everyone is listening to it
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