Examples of biased listening
What bias meansBias is when someone has a disproportionate or prejudged preference towards or against someone or something. Essentially, they have already made up their mind of what they think based on some details of the situation rather than the entire situation. There are many different types of bias. The two we explore here are cognitive biases and prejudices. Where bias comes from: cognitive biasesThere are many different types of bias, many of which come from the limitations or short-cuts of the human brain. These are called cognitive biases, and examples include:
Where bias comes from: prejudicesWhile some biases are the result of the limitations of the human brain, other prejudices are learnt or absorbed and can be more damaging. At the core of these biases are judgements of an individual based on some characteristic, which can include:
Acting along these biases is generally illegal in the UK. However, often these biases are not explicit and can be hard to prove. There is also evidence of bias which does not lead to outright discrimination but to ways, sometimes subtle, in which groups are disadvantaged relative to the prevailing norms. Why does bias matter?Bias clearly matters when individuals are discriminated against, or not given the same opportunities to contribute and thrive. This is a clear injustice, and that is why such behaviour is illegal. It also squanders the talents of those involved and undermines their abilities and contribution. Cognitive biases are also significant because it leads to the wrong decisions being made. They are shortcuts which save thinking time, and which are frequently helpful when navigating the world with the limited brainpower that we have. But when it comes to important decisions or perspectives, mistakes can be caused by these biases. How to identify biasWe can only identify bias when we are listening by taking a critical, questioning approach to what we are hearing. This is not an easy thing to master, and one of the reasons that this step is at the advanced end here. The critical thing is to keep reflecting on several questions:
By being more aware of the cognitive biases and prejudices that exist, then we are more likely to be able to recognise them. The critical thing is to consciously think about trying to understand them. |