Implicit Bias

We go out into the world every day and make automatic decisions about what is safe or unsafe. In earlier and simpler times, it was used as our “danger detector” to keep us safe even before we began to consciously make a determination about the person, object or animal in our path. Today, on a conscious level, we may correct a mistake in this “danger detector” when we notice it, but, quite often we simply generate reasons to explain why it was accurate to begin with. As humans, we continue to rely heavily on stereotypes as mental shortcuts to make sense of the world around us. People of all races often unconsciously use stereotypes to organize information by automatically sorting other people into categories – with ascribed meanings that often shape their interactions with and decisions about those individuals. What light does research shed on stereotypes and their real-world consequences and what are some possible strategies for addressing such unconscious discrimination? Attendees : Take the Harvard Implicit Association Test in advance of attending this presentation: https://implicit.harvard.edu This presentation will explore (1) the meaning of “Implicit Bias” or “Unconscious Bias”, (2) how we can recognize it; and (3) what we can do about it when we recognize it. Time will be reserved for Q&A. Presenter: Professor Helen Norton Lunch: Sponsored by Office for Diversity & Inclusive Excellence

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