Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. Residing deep in the
subconscious, these implicit biases can be both positive and negative and can be activated without you even knowing it. They operate unconsciously and differ from known biases that people may intentionally hide or selectively display.
A growing number of studies show a link between hidden biases and actual behavior. In other words, implicit bias can reveal itself in action, especially when a person’s efforts to consciously control their behavior fails under stress, distraction, relaxation, or competition.
Everyone has some form of implicit bias, but expanding our knowledge about implicit bias will help reduce the ones we have unconsciously come to accept. It is critical that we recognize, stay aware of, and learn to correct for the biases we carry.
