LibGuides: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Bias and Microagressions

The Impact of Bias

Bias & Microaggression

Bias
Microaggression

The conscious (explicit) or unconscious (implicit) opinion, preference, prejudice, or inclination formed without reasonable justification that prevents a balanced or even-handed judgement.

Affinity bias
People’s tendency to connect with individuals most like themselves.
Confirmation bias
Only noticing or accepting information that aligns with current beliefs.
Ingroup bias/ingroup favouritism
People’s tendency to favour, prefer, and uplift the group that they are a member of.
Outgroup bias
Tendency to view people from outside of one’s group unfavourably.

Small interactions with people or the environment that expose bias towards marginalized groups. While microaggressions may be unintentional, they can have cumulative negative effects on an individual’s well-being and sense of belonging.

Examples

Asking a person of colour, “where are you really from?”
Repeatedly speaking over a woman in a meeting
Dismissing of a female colleague by her male colleagues

What Can I Do?

Take the Implicit Association Test
Implicit bias is an automatic reaction we have towards other people, which can negatively impact our understanding, actions, and decision-making. The IAT helps you uncover implicit bias.
Download the Anti-bias Toolkit from UnboundEd
A free toolkit for facilitated conversations about race, bias and prejudice so we can listen, lead and teach towards equity.

Featured In Media

Unmasking 'racial micro aggressions'
An article that discusses subtle biases, and their impact on persons of color.
Speaking of Psychology: Can we unlearn implicit biases? With Mahzarin Banaji, PhD
In this podcast, Mahzarin Banaji discusses where implicit biases stem from, and the differences between implicit biases and prejudices.
Beyond Implicit Bias
An article that discusses the impact of implicit bias workshops on campuses.
Curbing implicit bias: what works and what doesn’t
An article that discusses strategies for reducing discrimination.
We Need to Retire the Term “Microaggressions”
In this article, the author puts forth an argument that the term "microaggression" is inadequate.
What Are Microaggressions?
An article that discusses the types of microaggressions and their impact.
What is a microaggression? 15 things people think are fine to say at work — but are actually racist, sexist, or offensive.
An article that discusses common things that people say, which are actually racist.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Who Me? Biased?

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The Impact of Bias

Bias & Microaggression

What Can I Do?

Featured In Media