Bias in Communication

This article discusses the impact of bias in communication on individuals and society. It explains how bias is brought about and how it influences individual’s perception and thoughts unconsciously. The article also provides techniques to identify and reduce bias in communication.

Running head: BIAS IN COMMUNICATION 1
Bias in Communication
Name
Institution

BIAS IN COMMUNICATION 2
Bias in communication has recognizable impact on individuals and largely determines
how people tend to relate with others. Bias in communication is brought about as a result of
differences in gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religious affiliation and abilities among other things
that influence the behavior of a person. It influences individual’s perception and thoughts
unconsciously and makes people see the world from a different perspective (Innis, 2008). For
this reason, communication bias may impact people in a manner that they are not able to make
sound judgment with regards to various circumstances. Bias is a false dichotomy and cannot be
looked at as bad or good. This is because bias in communication does not automatically render
people bad. However, in some cases other parties in a communication may feel prejudice and
change their perspective altogether.
On the contrary, bias in communication acknowledges that human beings are influenced
based on their life experiences and immediate environment. This can be attested by the influence
people get form watching television, movies, books and social media channels. Bias can be
reduced by any individual as long as one becomes aware that bias exist in their communication.
Therefore, the first step to address it is to identify the specific bias although many individual tend
to be unaware of their bias. In this regard, there are technological support which can assess an
individual biases according to categories such as skin color, race, weight, gender and disability
(Van Swol, Braun & Kolb, 2015).
Once an individual has identified biases in their communication, the second step is to
change the thought process. Altering ones thinking can be realized by learning more about the
specific bias. Through interacting with more information about the kind of biases, it helps an
individual to change their perception and the unconscious bias eventually reduces. Besides,
another technique that can be used to overcome or reduce bias is by practicing mindfulness.

BIAS IN COMMUNICATION 3
An individual has to be aware of their communication by paying attention of their
thought process. Further, an individual must find the source of bias in their communication in
order to eliminate negative thoughts that are likely to lead to biases. Bias can be identified in the
things that we read or see because they have the potential to influence our actions and decisions,
how we interact with people from certain groups and the advice we tend to consider. Moreover,
biases can lead to people make discriminatory decisions which are easier to identify (Mendez,
2017).
Therefore, it is significant that people become aware of biases that exist in their
communication because it plays a crucial role in how individuals make decisions about their
lives and businesses. Bias in communication can be reduced by involving other people to
participate in a written report or presentation. Consequently, people in various places need to be
made aware of the importance of treating people with respect and fairness which helps to reduce
bias in communication. In conclusion, bias in most cases occurs unconsciously and it is directly
attributed to the environment that people are brought up in among other things that influence
human behavior. Although it may impact certain circumstances negatively, bias simply reflects
how human beings are influenced by the society.

BIAS IN COMMUNICATION 4
Reference
Innis, H. A. (2008). The bias of communication. University of Toronto Press.
Mendez, J. (2017). The Impact of Biases and How to Prevent Their Interference in the
Workplace. Retrieved from http://www.insightintodiversity.com/the-impact-of-biases-
and-how-to-prevent-their-interference-in-the-workplace/
Van Swol, L. M., Braun, M. T., & Kolb, M. R. (2015). Deception, detection, demeanor, and truth
bias in face-to-face and computer-mediated communication. Communication
Research, 42(8), 1116-1142.