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Bias Starts Early and Can Last a Lifetime

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BiasSync

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Kids begin forming biases at a very young age.

It’s not intentional. It’s just how our brains are wired. Subconscious biases are mental shortcuts the brain uses to make thousands of decisions every day -- instantly! -- without conscious thought.

It’s automatic.

“In just one second, 11 million pieces of information are being processed by our mind. There’s no way the human mind can process the overwhelming amount of information that spills into our mind every moment without some kind of short cut.” Dr. Dolly Chugh, Social Psychologist, Author of “The Person You Mean To Be: How Good People Fight Bias”

Dr. Chugh, an implicit bias expert who has shared her expertise in BiasSync’s educational content, says from the time they’re born, children start making unconscious associations with people around them based on skin color, gender, and age.

Studies show that by the time most kids enter preschool, they’ve already formed strong racial and gender biases.

Unfortunately, the biases we form as children can be inaccurate, unfair, and even hurtful. And these negative biases can profoundly influence our behavior for the rest of our lives.

Even when it’s unintended.

“You have adults today that hold biases toward racial groups that are formed early on, that are still playing out in a very real way even though they may be 30, 40, or 50 years old.” Dr. Bryant Marks, Social Psychologist

That’s why it’s important for us all to become more aware of our subconscious, preconceived notions.

As humans, we may never eliminate our biases. But we can be more aware of them -- and more diligent about keeping them in check.

As we learn more about ourselves and how we perceive the world, we can become more mindful of how we treat each other.

And the earlier we start, the better.

BiasSync. Our purpose is to create more fair and respectful workplaces. For more information on BiasSync – training, unconscious bias assessments and measurements - visit: BiasSync.com

Updated: 05/2019

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