1-2 Activity Lens Exploration_Alexi Heiney
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RUNNING HEAD: 1-2 Activity: Lens Exploration
1
1-2 Activity: Lens Exploration
Alexi Heiney
OL-442 Human Resource Strategy/Development
Instructor: Korbin Painter
September 3, 2023
1-2 Activity: Lens Exploration
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1-2 Activity: Lens Exploration
Before diving into this assignment, my knowledge about implicit bias was somewhat
limited, yet I was consciously aware of its existence and significance. I understood it as those
unintentional judgments or stereotypes we form about others without actively realizing it.
However, this assignment provided a deeper understanding of the topic showing me how
widespread implicit bias can be in many parts of our lives.
History Lens
Implicit bias isn't a new concept, it's been around since ancient times. Back then, societies
had social hierarchies that were often based on unspoken but widely accepted beliefs about
different groups of people. The subject is still very important today, but the way we talk about it
has changed. For example, in the 20th century, movements like Civil Rights in the U.S. made
people more aware of deep-rooted biases in society. There's a growing emphasis on
understanding and dealing with these hidden prejudices, particularly in important areas like law
enforcement, jobs, and healthcare. Researchers like Dr. Mahzarin Banaji and Dr. Anthony
Greenwald have written important books and studies that help us understand how these hidden
biases affect how we act and make decisions.
Humanities Lens
When you look at implicit bias through a humanities lens, it shows up in our art, books,
and culture. For example, the way characters are depicted in movies or TV shows can make
stereotypes stronger. This bias also influences how we view people who are different from us,
often making them feel like outsiders because of their race, religion, or gender. According to
Banaji & Greenwald (2013), “Economists, sociologists, and psychologists have confirmed time
and again that the social group to which a person belongs can be isolated as a definitive cause of
1-2 Activity: Lens Exploration
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the treatment he or she receives.” Books and movies can both make these biases worse and
challenge them.
People who are part of groups that often face discrimination experience these biases in a
real way. These biases influence their personal stories, the kind of art they create, their songs,
and even how they talk about religion and philosophy.
Natural and Applied Sciences Lens
When we look at implicit bias through the lens of science, we're really talking about
what's going on in the brain. Studies in neuroscience tell us that a part of the brain called the
amygdala, which helps us process emotions, plays a role in quick judgments we make about
people. There are tests like the Implicit Association Test (IAT) that aim to measure these hidden
biases. According to Banaji & Brownstein (2015), “A signature result from research using the
IAT is that people who have no intention to discriminate may still do so in their behavior toward
others who vary in age, gender, class, race/ethnicity, sexuality, religion, and nationality among
other social groupings.” While these tests can tell us that bias exists, they can't capture all the
subtle ways it affects us.
Social Science Lens
In social sciences, the topic of implicit bias affects a lot of people. This includes groups
like people of color, women, LGBTQ+ folks, and people who practice different religions. These
groups often face unfair treatment because of these hidden biases.
These biases can mess up relationships between people who come from different
backgrounds, leading to misunderstandings or a lack of trust. On a bigger scale, these hidden
attitudes can also play a part in bigger issues like systemic racism and unfair treatment of women
in the workplace.
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1-2 Activity: Lens Exploration
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References
Banaji, M. R., & Greenwald, A. G. (2013).
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People
(1st ed.)
[Shapiro Library]. Delacorte Press/ New York.
https://eds-s-ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/eds/detail?nobk=y&sid=145d2aaa-f86a-4fcb-acea-
7b335b257007@redis&vid=5&format=EK&rid=1#db=nlebk&AN=737124&anchor=rela
ted_information_widget_other_formats_and_editions
Banaji, M. R., Bhaskar, R., & Brownstein, M. (2015). When bias is implicit, how might we think
about repairing harm? Current Opinion in Psychology, 6, 183–188.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.08.017