#BreakTheBias

What triggers unconscious bias?

• It is a genetical problem which can be solved with medication and therapy

• When brain makes quick judgments based on past experiences and background

• When human beings deliberately make some choices to penalize those they dislike

• People who are less intelligent and educated carry unconscious bias

How much information, that our brain receives, is processed unconsciously?

• Less than 25%

• 25-50%

• almost 85%

• Almost 99%

Answer explanation

Brain can process 11 mn bits of info per sec. But our conscious minds can handle only 40 to 50 bits of info per sec. So brains sometimes take cognitive shortcuts, leading to unconscious or implicit bias, with serious consequences on our actions toward other people or decisions.

Isabella's manager is a very kind and supportive. When she returns from Maternity leave, he makes sure that she is given enough space and assigns difficult projects with long duration or travel to her co-worker sam. There is a new M&A project but Sam feels that Isabella may feel overwhelmed at this stage as a new mom, although she is equally competent. Is Sam displaying some bias?

• Benevolent Bias

• Maternal Bias

• Affinity Bias

• Negativity Bias

Answer explanation

Benevolence bias occurs when our efforts to be kind result in us making decisions on other people’s behalf that take away their choices. This was we limit an individual’s autonomy by presuming what’s best for them.

Natalya, a new mom, called her friend in a devastated state of mind. Her boss had moved her into a job with more flexible hours, without discussing with her. Her friend was surprised because this sounded great to her, especially for a new mother! But Natalya explained that the new job would make it so much harder for her to get promoted to the position she had always dreamed of and she had come back to work to build a strong career. What is Natalya facing now?

• Negativity Bias

• Pessimism Bias

• Bystander Effect

• Maternal Wall

Answer explanation

Maternal Wall or Bias occurs when colleagues view mothers—or pregnant women—as less competent and less committed to their jobs. Many managers shy away from personal conversations for fear of being inappropriate, and instead just make their own assumptions about job preferences of working mom. Each employee is different. Another woman may have appreciated the new job with flexibility, so it is important to ask and not assume.

.................................... involves people over-relying on first impressions. It can lead to poor choices, Eg when recruiting new employees or choosing a partner.

• Optimism Effect

• Halo Effect

• Affinity Bias

• Confirmation Bias

Answer explanation

Our first impression of a stranger often has spillover effects on all future evaluations of their personality and skills. Beat Halo effect by slowing down impulsive choices and creating more objective criteria for evaluation -eg: hiring criteria or minimum conditions to be met

In this bias, people seek info that aligns with their preexisting beliefs and disregard any contrary evidence. They do Biased information search, biased information interpretation, and biased information recall.

• Confirmation Bias

• Affinity Bias

• Conformity Bias

• Egocentric bias

Answer explanation

Social Media feeds tend to increase confirmation bias. the more you read from that one source, the more you’re convinced they’re telling the truth

A ................ bias is the common habit of a person taking credit for positive events or outcomes but blaming outside factors for negative events. Athletes attribute their win to hard work and practice. When they lose the following week, they blame the loss on bad calls by the referees

• Self serving Bias

• Optimism Bias

• Pessimism Bias

• Illusion of Control Bias

What is illusion of control?

• The tendency for people to overestimate their ability to control or influence things

• Feeling that everything is determined by God and we only have an illusion of control

• Feeling of full control over the dependents and making choices for them

• Feeling powerful and powerless at the same time

Answer explanation

Even when things are entirely up to chance, we often feel like we can shift the odds in our favor by using some sort of strategy or ritual. Especially in stressful or high-stakes situations like investing, some people believe they can influence the markets, outcomes of a game by wearing a lucky charm. Very risky bias in banking business

This unconscious bias is most common during meetings and other team gatherings. Eg: members of a team can sway the opinion of another person which can affect the behavior or actions of the team as a whole.

• Group Think

• Affinity Bias

• Attribution Bias

• Anchor Bias

Humans are quick to judge and falsely assume things about a person without knowing their full story. When hiring, this bias can cause managers to determine a candidate unfit for the job because of something unusual on their resume or unexpected behavior during the interview. 

• Attribution Bias

• Horn Effect

• Likeability Bias

• Affinity Bias

Answer explanation

Rather than assume or attribute reasons for an unexpected behaviour, please ask the real reason and perhaps, your initial opinions may change