- What is implicit bias?
- Some examples of implicit bias
- Some data on implicit bias
- So you think you aren’t implicitly biased?
- Are you responsible for your implicit bias?
- Counteracting implicit bias
- Implicit bias and peer review
- Further information
What Is Implicit Bias?
Implicit bias is a subtle and pervasive form of bias against members of a group merely by virtue of their membership in that group. Unlike explicit bias, implicit bias often consists of unconscious attitudes and unintentional actions that may conflict with a person’s explicit beliefs and values.
Some Examples of Implicit Bias
- A woman or member of an underrepresented group makes a point in a seminar, which is ignored, only for a white man to make the same point and receive praise.
- An instructor calls on men more frequently than women or members of underrepresented groups.
- Men or white participants are allowed to speak without raising their hands, while others are not.
- Letters of recommendation unintentionally emphasize effort or personal traits for women while emphasizing achievement for men.
- Evaluators misattribute collaborative work or interpret ambiguous language in ways that disadvantage candidates.
Some Data on Implicit Bias
- Medical studies show that women’s cardiac symptoms are more likely to be attributed to stress. Study summary .
- Letters written for women medical faculty candidates tend to be shorter, weaker, and more personal than those written for men. (Discourse & Society, 2003)
- A national study found both male and female reviewers rated identical CVs higher when assigned a male name.
- Anonymous peer review increased acceptance rates for women in Behavioural Ecology.
- Blind auditions significantly increased the hiring of women musicians.
- Over 80% of respondents show implicit bias favoring dominant social groups. ( Project Implicit® )
So You Think You Aren’t Implicitly Biased?
- Feeling objective can actually increase biased decision‑making. ( Uhlmann & Cohen, 2007 )
- People detect bias more easily in others than in themselves ( Pronin et al., 2013 ).
Are You Responsible for Your Implicit Bias?
- Jules Holroyd (2012), “Responsibility for Implicit Bias” , Journal of Social Philosophy.
- Alex Madva (2013), “Implicit Bias, Moods, and Moral Responsibility” .
Counteracting Implicit Bias
- Recognize situations where bias may influence your decisions.
- Use explicit criteria when evaluating candidates.
- Read “Changing the Ideology and Culture of Philosophy” .
- Learn about micro‑inequities and intervention strategies.
Implicit Bias and Peer Review
- Jenny Saul (2012), “Ranking Exercises in Philosophy and Implicit Bias” .
- Carole Lee & Christian Schunn (2010), “Philosophy Journal Practice and Opportunities for Bias” .