Class Discussion

Contemporary Supervision

Recognizing Personal Bias

In the discussion of rater bias in chapter 12, we listed many different facets of unconscious thinking processes that contribute to individuals’ biases. For each of us, our values, stereotypes, experiences, culture, background, personality differences, and distractions can lead us to view situations and people in unique and sometimes unfair ways and make decisions that are unfairly based on our own biased perspective. In order to avoid bias in our interactions with others, it is important to first recognize our own biases.

This assessment activity provides you with an opportunity to recognize and reduce your own biases so that you can ensure that your actions are fair, objective and bias-free.

Respond to the questions below while thinking about a person who you find hard to work with or get along with.

1. What kind of biases have I experienced myself? How have those experiences affected me?

2. What part of my own agenda is being served by the decisions I am making?

3. Does this person or their situation remind me of someone else? Is that association applicable to this situation?

4. Are there differences in style or opinion between me and the person I am working with? If so, are they wrong, or just different? Are these differences influencing how I am acting toward this person? Might their style or opinion yield the same results?

5. Are there cultural, gender, religious, or lifestyle differences between us? Are the differences influencing how I am acting toward this person?

6. Considering my answers to these questions, do I approach other individuals in a way that could be unfairly influenced by my own biased perspective?

7. If so, what strategies and tactics can I put in place to engage fully and consciously, putting my biases aside? (See Figure 12.7.)