Implicit Bias Explained - Perception Institute

What it is

Thoughts and feelings are “implicit” if we are unaware of them or mistaken about their nature. We have a bias when, rather than being neutral, we have a preference for (or aversion to) a person or group of people. Thus, we use the term “implicit bias” to describe when we have attitudes towards people or associate stereotypes with them without our conscious knowledge. A fairly commonplace example of this is seen in studies that show that white people will frequently associate criminality with black people without even realizing they’re doing it.

Why it matters

The mind sciences have found that most of our actions occur without our conscious thoughts, allowing us to function in our extraordinarily complex world. This means, however, that our implicit biases often predict how we’ll behave more accurately than our conscious values. Multiple studies have also found that those with higher implicit bias levels against black people are more likely to categorize non-weapons as weapons (such as a phone for a gun, or a comb for a knife), and in computer simulations are more likely to shoot an unarmed person. Similarly, white physicians who implicitly associated black patients with being “less cooperative” were less likely to refer black patients with acute coronary symptoms for thrombolysis for specific medical care.

What can be done about it

Social scientists are in the early stages of determining how to “debias.” It is clear that media and culture makers have a role to play by ceasing to perpetuate stereotypes in news and popular culture. In the meantime, institutions and individuals can identify risk areas where our implicit biases may affect our behaviors and judgments. Instituting specific procedures of decision making and encouraging people to be mindful of the risks of implicit bias can help us avoid acting according to biases that are contrary to our conscious values and beliefs.

Implicit bias is a universal phenomenon, not limited by race, gender, or even country of origin. Take this test to see how it works for you: Implicit Bias Test

Relevant Articles & Publications

Jury Service and Implicit Bias: 2022 Anthem Awards Winner

We created this video in partnership with the New York State Unified Court System, in order to address the potential for juror biases that are implicit to affect outcomes in trials.

Promoting Fairness? Examining the Efficacy of Implicit Bias Training in the Criminal Justice System

In this book chapter (as part of Bias in the Law, 2020), Perception’s Co-Director, Rachel Godsil, examines the efficacy of implicit bias training efforts for stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System, as a mechanism to reduce racial disparities in outcomes across the system. Click here to access the chapter

Educating All of Our Children: Understanding and Addressing Implicit Bias

In this piece (2020), Perception’s Co-Director, Rachel Godsil, makes a case for educators to engage in the personal work to address implicit bias, in order to effectively meet the needs and support the academic growth of all students.

Prosecuting Fairly: Addressing the Challenges of Implicit Bias, Racial Anxiety, and Stereotype Threat

by Rachel D. Godsil and HaoYang (Carl) Jiang (Winter 2018) This article reviews the mind science of implicit bias, racial anxiety, & stereotype threat in the field of prosecution. Specifically, Godsil and Jiang demonstrate how these phenomena can undermine prosecutors’ performance and ability to serve their communities. The authors detail short and long-term steps that…

The Science of Equality in Education: The Impact of Implicit Bias, Racial Anxiety, and Stereotype Threat on Student Outcomes

This report reviews the research evidence of the role of implicit bias, racial anxiety, and stereotype threat on the academic and disciplinary outcomes of students. This report is an update of Perception Institute’s 2014 report The Science of Equality, Volume 1, which examined these phenomena in education and in healthcare.

The “Good Hair” Study: Explicit and Implicit Attitudes Toward Black Women’s Hair

The “Good Hair” Study: Explicit and Implicit Attitudes Toward Black Women’s Hair (February, 2017) by Alexis McGill Johnson, Rachel D. Godsil, Jessica MacFarlane, Linda R. Tropp, and Phillip Atiba Goff This report presents preliminary findings from the “Good Hair” Study, an original research study conducted by Perception Institute that examined explicit and implicit attitudes toward black women’s hair.

Implicit Bias