Implicit/Unconscious Bias in the Human Services

Presented by Bryant Marks, Psychology Professor, Morehouse College

[@cgsansone]

I appreciate how clear he ties our implicit biases to real-world contexts and real people. I also like his emphasis on those who hold a greater responsibility to become aware of our biases (we ALL have them, it is part of being human).

[@brianarmstead471]

This was awesome. A succinct but extremely informative discussion on implicit bias. I love the fact that he was balanced and non-judgmental but also made it clear that it's a human condition that affects everyone. (And by extension that means it affects both over-represented/dominant group members as well as under-represented/oppressed groups.) More importantly he gave succinct suggestions on how to begin to address it.

[@gabriellamunoz7107]

I attended his training today thru work and enjoy every minute of it. He kept us focus/involved. Like he said 'it's in the machine'. Keep up the excellent work. 👍👏👏👏

[@lillieruby4778]

He rocked it!

[@alexdiaz1492]

While he is right about certain aspects about implicit bias, the problematic part is associating it with racism or prejudice. We have an implicit and explicit bias against everything in the world and he is generalizing it to one particular problem which is race. The IAT has been proven to be not reliable in its test-retest reliability. This means if you take the test twice the probability of an individual getting the same score differs. In a reliable test, you want consistent numbers that of which is not a characteristic the IAT. Secondly, an implicit reaction does not always equate to an explicit response. In a neurobiological model, the amygdala is one of the main catalysts of this interaction chain. The amygdala is associated fear and is also responsible for associating certain cues with with an emotional response. With this being said, in a situation when a person is approaching another individual of unfamiliarity, the person has two routes of thought of whether to react to a basis of friend or foe. It is our automatic “ringing of the bell” catalyst and then information is sent to the vm PFC where that information is then judged. This is the first target of where the implicit bias occurs. The individual has to associate between if the other person is this or that and relies on their schematic perceptions of that person as a particular group and this is where Dr. Marks or Prof. Marks makes a great distinction. However, an important part he leaves out is the fact that our decision making responses aren’t solely reliant upon that process. The neural circuitry continues to enter our within milliseconds (approx. 200- 300 ms) dl PFC. This is responsible for assessing or playing the “moral police” of our tendencies and thoughts and evaluates that firsthand information. This is where explicit biases come into play. The explicit response is consciously able to evaluate these situations. Now this is where a problem may lie if any and may actually give credence to the thoughts you have. This neurophysiology is able to make distinction and then the decision is made which is sent to the other parts of the cortex to carry out the task. The other problem about implicit bias is that you may already prime an individual before taking the test whether they have a bias or not and the brain is susceptible to believe that and giving into an imposter syndrome. That is what can skew results. Lastly, is a political commentary. If I do say that this test and this particular time that we are living in will be similar to the injustices that were made about the lie detector test. Both are testing for responses that are not completely founded upon and if Dr. Bryant Marks had recognized when he said read the literature that it’s there, there’s a profound amount of literature that suggests that the limitations are just as profound as well. We are believing these results to equal racial biases and group prejudices when that is not total predicated upon. The consequence is what we’ve seen with the Starbucks incident where they had to test their employees and “educate” them on their biases... This has many implications in itself. The heart is there but the brain and the narrative isn’t complete.

[@californio1848]

Alex, you have to examine how implicit bias sustains and exacerbates racism at individual and systemic levels. While you are correct in highlighting the neurological function of bias as a defensive/protective/reactive mechanism, you need to dig deeper into understanding how misconceptions and mistreatment of others that stem from misguided and distorted attributes lead to marginalization, discrimination, and ultimately unequal treatment within societies. Relegating implicit bias to an uncontrollable biological function is short-sighted. Our brain and thought processes are malleable. The brain can make new neural connections that lead to pathways of behavior stemming more from critical thinking areas (prefrontal cortex) and less from reactive areas (amygdala). We can change how our brain reacts to different situations. I suggest you watch videos from Dr. Derald Wing Sue for further inquiry into implicit bias. I appreciate your commentary and hope you continue researching and discussing this topic. Regards.

[@justjoanna473]

I have black, white, and brown friends. The only bias we have are against the black, white, and brown people that don't respect their home, their elders, and themselves. We don't have to have a PHD to figure that out!

[@edwardjones1304]

Your comment tells me you didn't listen and except what he said. Its called denial

[@bartjebartmans]

@@edwardjones1304 and a form of explicit bias.

[@idliketosay]

Wow. A whole lot of nothing said in this video. So basically, judge people on content of their character and not the color of their skin. Got it.

[@bartjebartmans]

Nice example of bias.

[@idliketosay]

Implicit and unconscious mean two completely different things. What are you talking about?? These words cannot just be used interchangeably just because you and a few “social” scientists wanted to make up a new cool phrase so you can feel edgy. Implicit bias makes sense, sure. That’s fine. But unconscious bias 😂?? The hell is that? How can someone be “unconsciously” biased when making decisions take thought and awareness. You can’t make biased decisions and then blame that crap on your “unconsciousness”. Stop trying to give excuses. Pathetic. Now you wanna make the biased person the “victim” because it was their “unconscious”. Shut up. Is this how social justice warriors make themselves feel better about their biases? If people are making biased decisions, it’s because they are doing it intentionally and with awareness. Now, can they be implicit about their biases? Sure. Many people are. But don’t be saying it was your “unconscious” bias that made you do it. Pathetic. Teach responsibility and accountability. Not some sjw theory that has no real proof/evidence.