The Harmful Effect of Unconscious Bias

Human beings are imperfect creatures. Our upbringings, social  histories, and past experiences create and shape our biases. To avoid  being biased is to try to avoid being human. Even when we believe our  biases to be positive, they can be harmful to others.

Unconscious biases are hidden to the person with the bias; he or  she cannot address a problem without awareness that the problem exists.  In this discussion, you will analyze the harmful effects of unconscious  biases on three different types of culture: race and ethnicity, gender,  and sexual orientation.

Instructions

In your initial post to this discussion:

• Describe a typical work scenario based on your psychology  specialization. For example, if your specialization is clinical  psychology, a typical work situation may be providing therapy to a group  of low-income pregnant mothers. Make sure that your scenario includes a  person of a different race and ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation  from your own.      
  • How might you unknowingly convey prejudice, bias, and discrimination in that situation?
  • How do power and privilege factor into the situation you described?
  • What do you need to do to avoid this kind of situation as much as possible?

Your initial discussion post should be at least 200 words.