Do you have hidden biases? Find out by taking the Implicit Association Test here: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
You may be shocked to find that you are holding biases you never knew you had!
In order to achieve advanced personal growth, we must first be honest about the biases that we hold.
A bias is a tendency to lean towards or be more accepting of a certain person or subject. To hold a bias is to hold a lack of a neutral viewpoint and instead, display a heavy favour towards a particular choice.
Everyone has biases. They are part of our life and not necessarily bad. Most of us are not aware of all the biases we have, and unknowingly, use to influence those around us.
Challenging yourself to examine your biases might help you better connect with different people in your life.
Start by asking yourself if you have any strong beliefs, preferences or dislikes for anything related to the following categories?
- Age
- Religion
- Sexuality
- Weapons
- Gender
- Skin-tone
- Weight
- Ethnicity
- Race
- Disabilities
Then ask yourself the following questions:
Do you have any people in your life that you are unable to accept because of certain biases you feel impact you?
Is it fair to them if you have these biases?
Do you believe any particular bias impacts your ability to be respectful to certain people?
How did you develop these biases?
If you have any strong ones, why are they so powerful?
How do biases impact you and others in your life in positive and/or negative ways?
Do any of your biases own you (you feel like you can’t change it or help it)?
If you want to change it, in what ways may you be able to expose yourself to ideas, people or experience that may help you overcome your bias?
Remember, the purpose of this exercise is strictly to gain personal awareness. How you respond to that awareness is part of your individual personal growth journey and is the perfect response for you at this time.
