Implicit Bias
I would define "implicit bias" as having a negative opinion about a group or type of people different from me without really even realizing it. I absolutely love the definition of implicit bias on the "Code Switch" podcast - McGill Johnson says, "Implicit bias is our brain’s automatic processing of negative stereotypes that have become imbedded in our brains over time about particular groups of people, often times without our conscious awareness. They are essentially associations that we have come to link with particular groups, traits, and characteristics that help us navigate and make quick decisions about who those people are.”
*mike drop* ... I mean wow. Honestly it's quite embarrassing and humbling to realize we ALL have some kind of bias. I do feel like I am faced with this realization quite often, because when someone proves me "wrong" of a stereotype I subconsciously have, I realize how much I take note of it. I remember even in high school (I went to a public high school), I was in art class all four years, and I was always so shocked at how different people were from me. I was so used to my own norm of having Christian, conservative parents that are still married, but these people in my art class often did not relate to me in the slightest bit. I will forever be grateful I attended my high school for this very reason, because it taught me this lesson early on. However, I STILL need to work on counteracting my implicit bias. I do know that the world of occupational therapy will allow me to submerge myself in a pool of people different from me, which is honestly one of the reasons I chose this profession.
I think it is so incredibly important for OT students and OT practitioners to learn about implicit bias, because as OT professionals, we HAVE to treat all clients the same -- it is our ethical responsibility. Since we know this is non-negotiable, working on our own implicit bias will help us to actually enjoy working with clients of different backgrounds rather that simply just forcing ourselves to work with them and "get through it." So how do we work to counteract this implicit bias we have subconsciously learned over so much time? Well, first, self-reflect. Taking the "Project Implicit" survey was eye-opening to me. I realized how strongly I actually do feel about some things, and it occurred to me that some people would feel strongly about something polar opposite to me. We have to force ourselves to face our reality of having implicit bias. Next, Dr. Lancaster talked in the "Seniors Flourish" podcast about "learning about and applying strategies about how to get to new/desirable behaviors based on our assumptions," and she suggested a "7-day Bias Cleanse" she found on a dependable website. We have to actually be willing to learn new ideas and behaviors Finally, Dr. Lancaster advised us to "look into how you can increase your 'circle'." She said we should develop close relationships to people different from us, and ESPECIALLY those who violate the stereotypes we have. I love this advice because it reminds me about my art class experience.
My biggest take away from this session is that implicit bias is real and it exists in all of us. Additionally, as a future OT practitioner, I must work to counteract my implicit biases I have; if not, on the first day of my first job, reality will slap me in the face. I want to be the best OT practitioner I can be, and genuinely enjoy treating all of my clients the same -- which is the way it should be.
*mike drop* ... I mean wow. Honestly it's quite embarrassing and humbling to realize we ALL have some kind of bias. I do feel like I am faced with this realization quite often, because when someone proves me "wrong" of a stereotype I subconsciously have, I realize how much I take note of it. I remember even in high school (I went to a public high school), I was in art class all four years, and I was always so shocked at how different people were from me. I was so used to my own norm of having Christian, conservative parents that are still married, but these people in my art class often did not relate to me in the slightest bit. I will forever be grateful I attended my high school for this very reason, because it taught me this lesson early on. However, I STILL need to work on counteracting my implicit bias. I do know that the world of occupational therapy will allow me to submerge myself in a pool of people different from me, which is honestly one of the reasons I chose this profession.
I think it is so incredibly important for OT students and OT practitioners to learn about implicit bias, because as OT professionals, we HAVE to treat all clients the same -- it is our ethical responsibility. Since we know this is non-negotiable, working on our own implicit bias will help us to actually enjoy working with clients of different backgrounds rather that simply just forcing ourselves to work with them and "get through it." So how do we work to counteract this implicit bias we have subconsciously learned over so much time? Well, first, self-reflect. Taking the "Project Implicit" survey was eye-opening to me. I realized how strongly I actually do feel about some things, and it occurred to me that some people would feel strongly about something polar opposite to me. We have to force ourselves to face our reality of having implicit bias. Next, Dr. Lancaster talked in the "Seniors Flourish" podcast about "learning about and applying strategies about how to get to new/desirable behaviors based on our assumptions," and she suggested a "7-day Bias Cleanse" she found on a dependable website. We have to actually be willing to learn new ideas and behaviors Finally, Dr. Lancaster advised us to "look into how you can increase your 'circle'." She said we should develop close relationships to people different from us, and ESPECIALLY those who violate the stereotypes we have. I love this advice because it reminds me about my art class experience.
My biggest take away from this session is that implicit bias is real and it exists in all of us. Additionally, as a future OT practitioner, I must work to counteract my implicit biases I have; if not, on the first day of my first job, reality will slap me in the face. I want to be the best OT practitioner I can be, and genuinely enjoy treating all of my clients the same -- which is the way it should be.
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