Unconscious biases are a ubiquitous part of our lives, and they can significantly impact the way we interact with the world and the people around us. These biases are formed over time as a result of our experiences, cultural influences, and other factors, and they can shape our attitudes and perceptions in ways that we may not even be aware of.

For example, we might unconsciously associate certain traits with certain demographic groups, such as assuming that women are nurturing and emotional, or that people of a certain background or class are aggressive or prone to crime. While these biases are often unconscious, they can and do have a significant impact on the way we treat others and the decisions we make.


It is important to recognise that these biases are not necessarily a reflection of our true beliefs or values and that they can be overcome. Becoming aware of our own unconscious biases is a critical first step in reducing their impact and creating a more inclusive and equitable world.

This process requires ongoing effort and self-reflection that leads to self-awareness, but it can have a profound impact on the way we perceive and interact with the world. By exploring our own biases and working to reduce their impact, we can develop a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of others and work towards creating a more just and equitable society.


In this article, I’m offering up some steps that you can take to become more aware of your own unconscious biases and work towards reducing their impact. Whether you are looking to improve your personal or professional life, or simply seeking to become a more inclusive and equitable person.

These steps can provide you with a roadmap to success.

Identify Your Biases

The first step in becoming aware of your unconscious biases is to identify what they are. There are many implicit bias tests available online, such as the Implicit Association Test (IAT) developed by Harvard University, that can help you understand your biases. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) is a measure of implicit biases, which are unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can affect decision-making. It works by presenting participants with a series of tasks that assess the speed and accuracy with which they associate certain concepts (such as race, gender, or age) with either positive or negative attributes. The IAT can reveal implicit biases by measuring the strength and speed of associations between certain concepts and evaluations, attitudes, or stereotypes.

It is important to understand that implicit biases can be different from explicit biases, which are conscious attitudes or beliefs that one holds. While explicit biases can be acknowledged and changed through conscious effort, implicit biases are more difficult to detect and change as they are unconscious and automatic. By taking the IAT, individuals can gain insight into their own implicit biases and work towards correcting them. However, it is important to remember that the IAT is not a perfect measure and should not be used to make definitive judgments about an individual’s biases. Rather, it should be seen as a starting point for self-reflection and a conversation about biases and their impact.


Keep an Open Mind

The next step in becoming aware of your own unconscious biases is to be open to the possibility that you have them. Being open to the possibility of having unconscious biases is a critical step in the process of becoming aware of them. This requires a humble and non-judgmental attitude towards oneself, as well as an understanding that everyone is capable of having biases. It’s important to note that biases are not a sign of moral failure, but rather a natural part of the human experience that can develop unconsciously, without intention or awareness. Having an open mind and acknowledging that biases exist is the first step in becoming more aware of one’s own biases.

This mindset allows individuals to approach self-reflection and the identification of biases with a non-defensive and curious attitude. By recognising that biases are a common aspect of human behavior, individuals can approach the process of uncovering their own biases with a growth mindset, rather than a defensive or fearful one. Additionally, being open to the possibility of having biases can lead to increased self-awareness and a willingness to engage in ongoing self-reflection and education on diversity, equity, and inclusion. By continuously challenging and correcting biases, individuals can work towards promoting unbiased behaviour and creating an inclusive environment.


Reflect on Your Experiences

Take some time to think about your experiences and the experiences of others around you. Consider how your experiences might have shaped your beliefs and attitudes, and think about how these experiences might have influenced your biases. For example, if you grew up in a predominantly homogenous community, you may have limited exposure to people from different cultural backgrounds, which could have shaped your biases. By reflecting on your experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of how they might have influenced your biases and work towards reducing their impact. Reflecting on your experiences can help you understand how your biases have affected your behavior in the past and how you can avoid similar mistakes in the future. Regularly taking time to reflect on your experiences can help you become more self-aware and more mindful of your biases.


Educate Yourself

Seek out information and resources that can help you learn about the various types of unconscious biases that exist. This could include reading books, articles, and research studies, watching documentaries, or attending workshops and training sessions. By educating yourself about the types of biases that exist, you can start to recognize when you might be unconsciously influenced by them. Additionally, you can learn strategies for reducing the impact of your biases and becoming more inclusive and equitable in your thoughts, actions, and decisions. You can also educate yourself by learning about the history and experiences of underrepresented groups, as well as the social and cultural factors that contribute to biases. Understanding the roots of biases can help you become more aware of how they might be affecting you, and provide you with the tools you need to counteract them.

Read this article for a great list of logical fallacies and unconscious biases that are common: Understand Logical Fallacies.


Pay Attention to Your Emotions and Reactions

Pay close attention to your emotional reactions to different people, situations, and events. If you find that you have an automatic negative reaction to someone based on a particular characteristic, such as race or gender, it may be a sign of an unconscious bias. By being mindful of your emotional reactions, you can start to identify when biases might be influencing your perceptions and attitudes. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, including those that may be influenced by biases. By being present at the moment and focusing on your breathing, you can develop a more self-aware and objective outlook. Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your biases as they arise, and give you the space and perspective to counteract them. Regularly practicing mindfulness can help you become more self-aware and more capable of recognising and countering your biases.


Seek Out Diverse Perspectives

Make an effort to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Surrounding yourself with people who have different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences can help you broaden your horizons and expand your understanding of the world. Listen to their opinions, and be open to new ideas.

This can help you become more aware of your own biases and learn how to counteract them. Seek out people who have lived experiences that are different from your own and listen to their perspectives. You can also join clubs or organisations that focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and participate in discussions and events that promote these values.

This can help you broaden your understanding of the world and challenge your unconscious biases. By engaging with people who have different life experiences and perspectives, you can learn to appreciate the richness and diversity of humanity, which can help to reduce the impact of your biases.


Challenge Your Assumptions

When you find yourself making assumptions about people, take a step back and ask yourself why you are making these assumptions. Consider whether your assumptions might be based on unconscious biases and try to reframe them more neutrally and objectively. By challenging your assumptions, you can reduce the impact of your biases and become more aware of how they might be unconsciously influencing your perceptions and attitudes. Ask yourself why you feel the way you do about certain topics and individuals, and consider alternative perspectives. This can help you become more aware of your biases and begin to counteract them. Try to view situations objectively, without letting your biases influence your opinions. Regularly questioning your assumptions and beliefs can help you become more self-aware and avoid letting biases guide your behaviour.


Seek Feedback from Others

Seeking feedback from others can be a valuable tool in the process of becoming aware of one’s unconscious biases and promoting unbiased behaviour. By reaching out to trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors, individuals can receive constructive criticism and gain a different perspective on their behavior and attitudes. This outside perspective can help to identify areas where one may have unconscious biases that they may not have been aware of otherwise. It’s important to choose individuals who are trustworthy and have a good understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. These individuals should also be able to provide constructive feedback in a non-judgmental and supportive manner.

In addition to seeking feedback from others, it is important to approach this process with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow. By taking the feedback received and using it as a learning opportunity, individuals can work towards reducing the impact of their biases and promoting unbiased behaviour. In conclusion, seeking feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors can be an effective way to become more aware of unconscious biases and work towards promoting unbiased behavior. By approaching the process with an open mind and a willingness to learn, individuals can use feedback as a tool for growth and improvement.


Practice Empathy

Developing empathy and putting yourself in other people’s shoes can help you understand their perspectives and reduce the impact of your biases. By trying to understand the feelings and experiences of others, individuals can gain a better understanding of their perspectives and motivations, even if they do not fully agree with them. Empathy promotes respect for others and their experiences and can help to build a sense of common humanity, even in the face of disagreement or conflict. By considering how others might feel in different situations, you can become more aware of how your biases might be unconsciously influencing your perceptions and attitudes.


Engage in Ongoing Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is an important aspect of ensuring unbiased behavior and decision-making. It involves examining one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions to identify any unconscious biases that may be effecting them. This process can be ongoing, as biases can develop and change over time, and it is important to continuously check in with oneself to ensure that they are making fair and equitable decisions. One way to engage in ongoing self-reflection is to regularly take time to reflect on past situations and experiences and to question any assumptions or beliefs that may have influenced one’s actions. Additionally, seeking out diverse perspectives and engaging in discussions with people from different backgrounds can also help to broaden one’s understanding and challenge any biases that may exist. Overall, ongoing self-reflection is crucial for promoting unbiased behaviour and creating an inclusive environment.


Hold Yourself Accountable

Holding oneself accountable for unbiased behavior is an important step in promoting equity and fairness. This involves acknowledging the role that personal biases can play in decision-making and taking responsibility for correcting any biases that may surface. One way to do this is by setting personal goals and actively working to challenge and overcome any biases that may arise. Additionally, actively seeking out feedback and being open to constructive criticism can also help to hold oneself accountable. It is also important to educate oneself on diversity, equity, and inclusion and to continuously strive to learn and grow in this area. By being proactive in identifying and correcting biases and holding oneself accountable for unbiased behaviour, individuals can contribute to creating a more equitable and just society.


Final Word

In conclusion, promoting unbiased behaviour and reducing the impact of unconscious biases requires continuous self-reflection, education, and accountability. This can be achieved through a combination of self-awareness, openness to the possibility of having biases, ongoing self-reflection, and seeking feedback from trusted individuals. By taking these steps, individuals can work towards promoting a more inclusive and equitable environment for all. However, it is important to recognise that this is a continuous process that requires ongoing effort and a commitment to growth and self-improvement. By embracing this journey, individuals can make a positive impact in their communities and contribute to creating a more equitable and just world.

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