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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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TED Talks

A curated selection of TED talks featuring a diverse collection of speakers exploring implicit bias

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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