Topic: Design for everyone

Unconscious Bias

Difficulty

Medium

Objective

To explore our own unconscious bias

Outline

What is unconscious bias? Well it is when we form social stereotypes about people unconsciously & without realising it. These could be judgments in favor or against one thing, person or place.

We need to embrace diversity & be curious of people and things that are different to us. So next time you make a quick judgment about someone, a place or simply choosing a restaurant to eat at, ask yourself what’s influencing your decision? Are you picking that because it’s familiar to you? Be curious!

Equipment

Paper and pen

Method

Create a list of 5 people you trust the most. Note: try not to include family members.

Now next to each person under ‘people I trust’ fill out the following information in each of the columns.

Gender
Age
Ethnicity
Education
City they live in
Disability

3. Take some time to look at the table. Are all the columns the same? Are the people we trust all the same ethnicity, education level and live close to us?

It’s natural that we surround ourselves with likeminded people, we need to accept that stereotypes are part of who we are.

QUESTION and CHALLENGE your opinions and beliefs. Be aware of FIRST IMPRESSION. Actively seek to increase KNOWLEDGE and be CURIOUS