Implicit Bias and Stereotyping
Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes shaping decisions, while stereotyping involves oversimplified beliefs about groups. Both distort social perception, impacting hiring, healthcare, and justice systems.
Understanding Implicit Bias:
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Implicit Association Test (IAT): Measures unconscious biases (e.g., linking race with positive/negative traits).
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Real-World Impacts:
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Hiring: Resumes with ethnic names receive fewer callbacks.
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Healthcare: Doctors may undertreat pain in Black patients due to biased beliefs.
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Policing: Unconscious associations linking minorities with danger.
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Stereotyping and Social Perception
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Stereotypes: Overgeneralized beliefs (e.g., “Women are nurturing,” “Elderly are frail”).
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Halo Effect: One positive trait (e.g., attractiveness) leads to assumptions of competence/kindness.
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Horn Effect: One negative trait (e.g., accent) triggers assumptions of incompetence/untrustworthiness.
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Stereotype Threat: Fear of confirming stereotypes harms performance (e.g., women underperforming in math).
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Implicit Bias Concepts Unwrapped: https://youtu.be/OoBvzI-YZf4?si=qD3NkiSSL7lafo5d
| Type | Example | Consequence |
| Postive | Asians are good at math. | Pressure to conform;ignores individuality. |
| Negative | Women are overly emotional. | Workplace discrimination. |