System04104: An Analysis of Unconscious Biases in Society

This essay delves into the concept of unconscious biases, exploring how they influence our decision-making processes. It begins by defining unconscious biases as decisions based on culture, values, stereotypes, and past experiences, even when we are unaware of these influences. The essay references the 'Invisibillia' podcast and the case of Karen Byrne to illustrate how the unconscious mind can operate independently, influencing behavior. It also connects unconscious biases to racism, highlighting how stereotypes and attitudes can shape biased decisions, such as in workplace promotion scenarios. The essay then discusses strategies for mitigating unconscious biases, such as confronting stereotypes, increasing contact with diverse groups, and focusing on the structure of decisions. The essay concludes by emphasizing the difficulty of overcoming biases that develop in childhood but suggests that increased awareness and intentional efforts can help reduce their impact.

Running Head: Unconscious Biases
Unconscious Bias
Essay
System04104
9/27/2019

Unconscious Biases
1
Unconscious Biases
People generally do not have any idea about their unconscious bias. Unconscious biases
generally occurs when our decision is based on our culture, moral values, stereotypes, and
past experiences but our mind does not have any idea about it. Unconscious biases generally
involve in our daily life and in our decision-makings. However, our mind do not have any
idea about it that what is going on and even a person who is suffering from unconscious bias
does not have any control over it (Blackman, 2018). In the given link of ‘Invisibillia’ in
which it has been mentioned that how a women named Karen Byrne does not have any idea
about her unconscious mind where her mind is working in to two parts after a surgery of her
mind. She cannot control her left hand, which is out of control and taking the decision by self.
It means that there is a part of our mind that we do not have access or acknowledge and event
it is out of our control. The same thing happens with human mind when a person acts with an
unconscious biasness. The podcast of “The culture Inside” connects this unconscious biases
with racism while people is suffering with implicit bias while dealing with racism. Although,
the show summarises that people’s stereotype and attitudes determines the behaviour and
situation of unconscious bias decisions. For example, when boss considers the promotion of a
man and woman employee during promotion, he/she ignores the fact that a female may have
to take her children from school or may have to drop her children for the school; even it is in
the unconscious mind of the boss. Boss will take the decision and give better promotion to a
male employee who performs litter better than a female employee.
Avoiding unconscious bias is only possible if a person encounters the stereotype and
changing our perception about the situation, place, events, of any person. However,
unconscious biases generally develops in childhood days and develops gradually, so it is very

Unconscious Biases
2
difficult to overcome but if a person increases his contact with relevant group or ignore those
factor or information that causes unconscious bias then it can be easily removed while
making any decision. A person must have to focus on the structure of decision and should
ignore the wrong perceptions or stereotype thinking, which are the major causes of
unconscious biases (Seiter, 2016).

Unconscious Biases
3
References
Blackman, A. (2018) What Is Unconscious Bias? +Top Strategies to Help Avoid It [online].
Available from: https://business.tutsplus.com/tutorials/what-is-unconscious-bias--cms-31455
[Accessed: 28/09/2019].
Seiter, C. (2016) 7 Simple Methods To Fight Against Your Unconscious Biases [online].
Available from: https://www.fastcompany.com/3044738/7-simple-methods-to-fight-against-
your-unconscious-biases [Accessed: 28/09/2019].