VASSA Implicit Bias June 2021 Handout smith

• Bias - A natural inclination or personal preference for or against an idea, object, group, or individual.. • Implicit Bias - "The unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can influe

VASFAA Conference Session:

June 2021 2:45-3:45 PM

• HANDOUT

VASFAA Conference Session:

10 June 2021 2:45 - 3:45 PM

Unintentional Bias’s Role in Social Justice: An

Introduction to How It Works &

Strategies for Reduction

 Dr Sherwood Smith, Ed.D Center for Cultural Pluralism

VP Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, University of Vermont [ He/Him/His]

Land Acknowledgement

UVM is located on the land which has long served

as a site of meeting and exchange among

indigenous peoples for thousands of years and

is home of the Western Abenaki People UVM

honors, recognizes and respects these peoples, especially the Abenaki, as the traditional stewards

of the lands and waters on which we gather today

In that spirit, today we will begin by acknowledging that we are guest in this land We need to respect and help protect the lands within our use.

 Mute your mics when you are not speaking

 Utilize the chat to share questions and thoughts

 To help with sharing air time, use the “raise hand” feature in Zoom if you would like to speak

Group Agreements

 Stay Engaged

 “I” statements vs generalizations

 Speak Your Truth

 Experience of Discomfort With New Ideas = Learning

 Expect & Accept Non-Closure

 Own Our Own Beliefs

Think & Respond

Over the next few slides, we will have three

quick and short prompts Take a moment to

personal engage with them and feel free to type your answer in the chat, if you would like

How are you feeling coming

into this session?

When I hear the word

“uinintentional"

I think of

When I hear the word "bias“

I think of

Debrief

Cultural Analogy of a Tree

MORPHOLOGICAL = Branches Skin Color, Hair texture, Bone structure, Eye Shape, Lip Shape, Body Hair, Behavior, Language/dialect, Sports, Food, Music Clothing & others (car

examples: age, class, gender, race,….)

STRUCTURAL = Trunk

Legal system Government policies, School system Forms, documents, book & Media in general

Norms & values (overt)

MYTHICAL – SOURCE OF MEANING = Roots

Beliefs & spirituality Sanity, wellness & sexuality

values (norms)

 Please do the task and put you answers into the poll/survey

VCHIP Oct 2020

Discussion

• Bias - A natural inclination (or personal preference) for or

against an idea, object, group, or individual.

• Stereotype - Belief that certain attributes, characteristics,

and behaviors are typical of members of a particular group

of people.

• Implicit Bias - "The unconscious attitudes or stereotypes

that can influence our decisions, even if we are not aware

of it." Kirwan Institute, 2016

14

What comes up when thinking

about those definitions?

15

Fast Brain & Slow Brain

Inference:

Available? Meaningful, Valid, Good, Understandable?

Fair use guidelines

Quick Differences Between Bias

Sources of Implicit Bias

20

Errors Related to Implicit Bias

VCHIP Oct 2020

Wait, so if it is unconscious,

does that mean

I can't do anything about it?

22

Personal Strategies for Reducing Implicit Biases

1 Slow Down & Focus:

Identify distractions and sources of stress within the making environment and try to reduce them

decision-2 Put Feedback Mechanisms into place:

Expand your network and friends = avoid group think

3 Counter Stereotypes Intentionally

Look for examples to conflict with potential stereotypes

4 Build Relationships across differences;

Practice talking to people who are different from you

System Strategies for Reducing Implicit Biases

1 MINDSET:

• Ask Questions of Ourselves:

• What are my biases? Have humility Self-aware (mindful)

2 DECOUPLING PROCESS FROM PRECEPTION:

• Ask Questions about our Organization:

• Where does implicit bias play out in our setting?

• Slow Down Decision-Making when possible

3 DEBIASING: Counter generalizations & stereotypes

4 ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN AND EXTERNAL:

• Ambiguity in Decision-Making – establish standards prior to making

decision-The ability to see bias in others, but not in ourselves

Therefore Big benefit of open conversations and multiple

viewpoints/perspectives

Blind Spot Bias

Identity Graphic

Intent & Impact?

What are 3 Key Points For Action

ADDRESSING UNINTENTIONAL

BIAS

PERSONAL

WORLD VIEW CULTURAL “NORMS”

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURES ( ie Policies)

Smith 10 June 2021

Bias in Decision Making

Implicit Bias Resources

 http://www.npr.org/2016/10/17/498219482/how-the-concept-of-implicit-bias-came-into-being

Oct 17, 2016 - Implicit bias has become a key part of the national dialogue on race in

America How The Concept Of Implicit Bias Came Into Being : NPR

 Adams, M., Bell, L.A & Griffin, P (Eds.) (2007) Teaching for diversity and social justice: A source book New York: Routledge

 http://www.ncsc.org/~/media/Files/PDF/Topics/Gender%20and%20Racial%20Fairness/Implicit%20Bias%20FAQs%20rev.ashx

 https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html Take a test - Project Implicit - Harvard University

 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tamera_Schneider/publication/269354231_Using_implicit_bias_training_to_improve_attitudes_toward_women_in_STEM/links/54e63e100cf2cd2e028e5362.pdf

 http://www.npr.org/2016/10/17/498219482/how-the-concept-of-implicit-bias-came-into-being Oct 17, 2016 - Implicit bias has become a key part of the national dialogue on race in America How The Concept Of Implicit Bias Came Into Being : NPR

 The New York Times Miniseries Who, Me? Biased?

 Prejudice In The Brain: Can You Break Biased Habits?

www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/10/prejudice-in-the-brain_n_1195880.html

Closing For Now

“Not everything that is faced can be changed,

changed until it is faced.”

James Baldwin

Thank You &

Questions