Host: Dr Sandra Palmer
Bias is a weakness we all have developed as humans because the brain uses previous information stored, to make decision-making less onerous.
Can you imagine having to think hard and really concentrate every time you were to perform a simple task? So, this shortcut can be very useful. Most of the things we do repeatedly are done without conscious thought. However, what happens when the shortcuts do not serve us or others? What happens when the shortcuts hurt others, based on the associations that our brains make at a deep unconscious level?
Unconscious bias. Your background, personal experiences, societal stereotypes, and cultural context can have an impact on your decisions and actions without you realising. Implicit or unconscious bias happens by our brains making incredibly quick judgments and assessments of people and situations without us realising. So it’s automatic in the presence of the stimulus.