Is It Bias? Making Diversity Work
Welcome to
Is It Bias?
Long Workshop
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #1
Preliminary Thoughts
• Even nice people have biases.
• Biases do not make us bad people.
• Members of any group can have biases.
• All but the most deeply-held of biases can
be defeated.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #2
Program Objectives
At the completion of this program,
participants will be able to:
• Objective 1: Define the term bias as it
pertains to diversity.
• Objective 2: Identify biases in themselves
and others.
• Objective 3: Practice 3 steps for
controlling and even eliminating biases in
their thinking.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #3
Bias Quiz
????????????????????
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #4
The Definition of Bias
A bias is an inflexible positive or
negative conscious or unconscious belief
about a particular category or group of
people.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #5
Case by Case
• Scenario 1: “Mid-20’s – Some
Generation Y’s”
–Key Point: The interviewer made an
observation about one person, not the
entire group. (“some”)
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #6
Case by Case, cont.
• Scenario 2: “All Been from Mexico”
–Key Point: The speaker made a
reasonable assumption based on the
information he had. He should,
however, have asked respectful
questions rather than jump to
conclusions.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #7
Case by Case
• Scenario 3: “Just Like Me”
–Key Point: Being drawn to people who
are in some way like us is natural.
However, it is valuable and healthy to
get to get to know people from other
groups as well.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #8
Case by Case, cont.
• Scenario 4: “It Seems I Just Can’t Win”
–Key Point: Sometimes biases are
implied, not clearly stated.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #9
Case by Case, cont.
• Scenario 5: “The Single Mother”
–Key Point: Biases can sometimes hide
behind good intentions and kindly acts.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #10
Case by Case, cont.
• Scenario 6: “Doesn’t Even Notice Me”
–Key Point: Biases about how people
look are an often neglected, and,
therefore, particularly destructive, type
of bias.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #11
Case by Case, cont.
• Scenario 7: “Bias Against Your Own
Group”
–Key Point: Biases can be directed
against the biased person’s own group.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #12
The Definition of Bias
A bias is an inflexible positive or
negative conscious or unconscious belief
about a particular category or group of
people.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #13
Bias Identification Skill Test
• The Case of Ayana
• The Case of Len
• The Case of Mary
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #14
What Actions Do You Take?
You have a choice and you have
the power.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #15
What Actions Do You Take? Step #1
Stop and listen to what you are
thinking or saying.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #16
What Actions Do You Take?
Step #1, cont.
Watch Your First Thought: An
Invitation
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #17
What Actions Do You Take? Step #2
Recognize that this is a critical
moment.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #18
What Actions Do You Take?
Step #2, cont.
Dissect Your Bias to
Weaken
Its Foundation
• Ask yourself, “Did I learn this bias from a
reliable source?”
• Ask yourself, “How many people do I
actually know who conform to my bias?”
• Ask yourself, “How many people do I know
who do NOT conform to my bias?”
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #19
What Actions Do You Take? Step #3
Treat everyone as an individual
which means to act as if,
your bias does not exist.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #20
What Actions Do You Take?
Step #3, cont.
How “Acting as If” Helps Reduce Bias
• When we treat people as individuals, they
respond more positively.
• When we treat people as individuals, we
have more experience with a variety of
people who are different from each other.
• When we treat people as individuals, our
attitude gradually changes to conform to our
behavior.
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #21
Maya Angelou said….
“…people will forget what you
did, people will forget what
you said, but they’ll never
forget how you made them
feel.”
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #22
Thank You
This program is based on the book,
Making Diversity Work, by Sondra
Thiederman, Ph.D.
Cross-Cultural Communications
www.Thiederman.com
Distributed by Learning Communications
www.learncom.com
800-622-3610
© 2010 Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D.
Slide #23