Understanding Implicit Bias

This resource links to the website of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity--Understanding Implicit Bias section. The resource defines implicit bias as attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions which are unconscious, both favorable and unfavorable, not accessible through introspection. It also describes key characteristics of implicit bias pas being pervasive and includes people with avowed commitments to impartiality such as judges. Implicit and explicit biases are described as related but distinct mental constructs. Implicit biases: (1) may not align with a person’s declared conscious beliefs; (2) tend to favor our own “in-group”; and (3) are malleable). This resource has numerous articles, resources, and examples of implicit bias, which can deepen the understanding of individuals who visit the website. While this resource does not focus on biases associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it can help students increase awareness of explicit and implicit biases within themselves and others with whom they interact.