The Myth of Sameness
Part 1
Language and
Unconscious Bias
Agenda






Breathing exercise
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
December 1948
Conscious Bias and Unconscious Bias
Understanding Language
How does all of this impact college students?
Q&A
What do you see?
What do you see?
Martin Luther King
“Men hate each other because they fear each
other, and they fear each other because they
don't know each other, and they don't know
each other because they are often separated
from each other.”
There are types of biases


Conscious bias (also know as explicit bias)
Unconscious bias (also know as implicit bias)
It is important to note that biases, conscious or
unconscious, are not limited to ethnicity and race.
Though racial bias and discrimination is well
documented, biases may exist toward from any social
group. One’s age, gender, gender identity physical
abilities, religion, sexual orientation, weight, and many
other characteristics are subject to bias.
Bias, why we have it

Scientists estimate we are exposed to at least
11 million pieces of information at any one time,
but our brains can only functionally deal with
about 40.

So we filter out the rest
Time Square,
New York City
How is it that we
can walk down a
busy street with
an ocean of stimulus in front of us
and still look for a
specific person or
thing?
Bias, how do we do it?
We do it by developing a perceptual lens
that filters out certain things and lets others
in, depending upon certain perceptions,
interpretations, preferences and, yes,
biases that we have adapted throughout
our life.
Unconscious Bias
Is a positive or negative mental attitude
towards a person, thing, or group that a person
holds at an unconscious level
Bias: When it’s a problem
A male hiring committee for a local
orchestra favored and hired only
male musicians
Why is this a problem?
Bias: Fixing the problem
When the hiring committee could not
see the sex/gender of the musician
but only hear them play the number
of female musicians increased
What happened next?
Unconscious Bias



Unconscious biases are social stereotypes
about certain groups of people that individuals
form outside their own conscious awareness.
Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about
various social and identity groups.
Unconscious bias is far more prevalent than
conscious prejudice and often incompatible
with one’s conscious values.
What do you think of when you
see this?
Language
When we speak, others begin to
focus on what words mean to them.
Text ‘positive’, ‘negative’, or ‘no
reaction’ to the following words








Nationality
Oppression
Dominance
Subordination
Male privilege
Undocumented
Minority
Accent
Why do we react differently?
Family experiences
 Personal experiences
 School experiences
 Community connections
 News media
 Social media
 Historical events

Different Biases

Affinity Bias

Halo Effect

Confirmation Bias

Group Think
Affinity Bias
The tendency to warm up to people like
ourselves.
Halo Effect:
The tendency to form stereotypes and
assumptions about certain groups.
Confirmation Bias
The tendency for
people to seek
information that
confirms
preexisting
beliefs or assumptions
Group Think
This bias occurs
when people try too
hard to fit into
particular group
mimicking
others or holding
back thoughts and
opinions.
Language is powerful

It is easier to become defensive, argue the
meaning or ignore these interactions than it is
to learn how the language of diversity affects
others and impacts all aspects of our lives

And, if we can’t talk productively about
something, then we can’t do anything about it.
Language is powerful




Unconscious patterns can play out in ways
that are so subtle they are hard to spot.
It contributes to choosing certain words to
describe certain groups
It contributes to labeling individual or groups
with different words that mean the same thing
It contributes to labeling individuals or groups
with words implying they are all the same
Language is powerful






African American
Arab American
Hispanic American
Irish American
Italian American
Jewish American







Terrorist, store clerk
Athlete, police officer
Drunk, police officer
Physician, CEO, factory
worker
Gang member, factory
worker
Physician, CEO, teacher
Crime boss, chef
Unconscious Bias
https://www.fastcompany.com/3036627/yo
ure-more-biased-than-you-think
Unconscious Bias and Change



Unconscious biases develop at an early age:
biases emerge during middle childhood and
appear to develop across childhood
Unconscious biases have real world effects
on behavior
Unconscious biases are malleable and one
can take steps to minimize the impact of
unconscious bias
Overriding Unconscious Bias



Be motivated to control bias
Be aware of the potential for bias
Take the time to consider individual
characteristics and avoid stereotyped
evaluations
Your Rights





To be safe on campus, off campus at a SMC
related event
To report an incident
To have that incident investigated
To be protected from retaliation
To know that its SMC obligation to stop,
prevent, remedy
SMC Resources
Who you can talk to Confidentially

Center for Wellness and Wellbeing
Liberal Arts, Rm 110
(310) 434-4503

Health Services
Health Center
(310) 434-4262

Ombudsperson
Letters & Science, Rm 124
(310) 434-3986
SMC Resources
…
QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS,
THOUGHTS…
Santa Monica Community College District  1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405  310.434.4415
References



Dr. M. Elizabeth Holmes, Executive Vice President & Chief
Learning Officer, Roosevelt Thomas Consulting & Training,
from “Getting Conscious About Managing Diver
Howard Ross Founder & Chief Learning Officer of Cook Ross
Inc., a diversity training and change management firm based in
Silver Spring, Md
http://med.stanford.edu/diversity/FAQ_REDE.html
The Myth of Sameness
Part 2
Unconscious Bias Celebrating Diversity
Agenda






Breathing exercise
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
December 1948
Unconscious Bias
Celebrating Diversity
How does all of this impact college students?
Q&A
Workshop 1 Recap




Implicit bias is distinct from conscious
motivation
We all have these biases due to cultural
exposure
They can affect behavior unless we override
them
They can be changed with education and
exposure
http://www.un.org/en/universal-declarationhuman-rights/
Unconscious Bias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQXLD
GcuezY
A U.S. college campus is one of the
few places on earth where people
from so many diverse backgrounds
come together for a common
purpose…
Understanding biases


Conscious bias (also know as explicit bias)
Unconscious bias (also know as implicit bias)
It is important to note that biases, conscious or
unconscious, are not limited to ethnicity and race.
Though racial bias and discrimination is well
documented, biases may exist toward from any social
group. One’s age, gender, gender identity physical
abilities, religion, sexual orientation, weight, and many
other characteristics are subject to bias.
Unconscious Bias



Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about
certain groups of people that individuals form outside
their own conscious awareness.
Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various
social and identity groups.
Unconscious bias is far more prevalent than
conscious prejudice and often incompatible with
one’s conscious values.
What do you see?
What do you see?
What to you see?
When do you think this photo was
taken?
What do you feel when you see
these words?
Spicy and Exotic
A Response to Spicy
and Exotic
Spicy, exotic is related
to a food

So why to some
people think its okay to
refer to other people
who have hips and dark
hair as spicy and exotic?

What do you see?
We need to unlearn our reactions




Notice your defensiveness and accept the discomfort of unlearning
and relearning.
The best way to check the appropriateness of a term is to ask a
member of the group being referred to while remembering that no
one individual represents the entire group
Not everyone in a particular identity group, or at a particular time,
will agree on the use of specific terms or expressions. For
example, many people of color prefer to be called Hispanic. Others
identify with Latino/a. Still others prefer to be called by their
national origin, e.g., Cuban, Mexican, Colombian, etc.
Negative language used within a given identity group about itself
and its own members is very different from the same language
used by people outside the group
Understanding Diversity
Primary Dimensions
of Diversity
Work
Background
Income
Parental
Status
Geographic
Location
Sexual
Orientation
Race
Ethnicity
Gender
Education
Age
Physical
Qualities
Marital
Status
Military
Experience
Religious Beliefs
Secondary Dimensions
of Diversity
Loden and Rosener 1991
Diversity is also:
The link
between bias
and diversity
Diversity Matters
Diversity supports student learning and
development
 By incorporating diverse content, perspectives,
and approaches into the curriculum, education
then prepares students for engagement with
today's complex world.
But it is also important
 to address diversity Issues and understand the
barriers to engagement

But……how much do we know
about our world and other
peoples’ culture?
What is punctuality?
What is punctuality?
Japan: being just one minute late is considered being
late.
Nigeria: a 1pm start can mean any time between 1pm
and 2pm
Morocco: anything from being an hour up to an entire
day late for a get together.
China: its not considered late if you arrive within 10
minutes of the agreed time
Mexico: its not uncommon for people to turn up half
and hour late tor a meeting
Germany: expected to turn up 10 minutes early
What about giving presents?
Giving presents
China: gifts are the norm and expected, keep offering your gift,
because Chinese recipients usually refuse three times before
accepting
France: the gift of wine for the hostess of a dinner party is not an
appropriate gift as the hostess would prefer to choose the vintage
for the night.
Mexico: symbolizes affection and appreciation and not giving gifts
on some occasions may be received as a deliberate discourteous
act. Flowers are the best gift; gift alternatives are wine, gourmet
candies or cakes, or a small gift from your home country.
Characteristics of American
Culture





Egalitarian/equality
Can control the
environment
Future oriented
Informal
Direct in
communications





Youth valuing
“Friendliness”
Optimism
Action oriented:
Change now
Ethnocentric: our
way is the best way
Is that what
everybody is like
in America?
Bias and cultural sensitivity
The ability to be open to learning about and
accepting of different cultural groups.
“If we are aware of our biases, we can correct
them—as when driving a car that drifts to the
right, we steer left to go where we intend."
-- Mahzarin Banaji
Implicit Bias- Take the Test for
yourself…

https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
Keys to Appreciating Diversity








Educate yourself about other cultures and people who
are different from you.
Take pride in and explore your own heritage.
Value diversity and accept the differences of others.
View differences as an opportunity for learning.
Communicating openly
Listening
Establishing respect and understanding
Discussing issues as they arise
Communicate Across Cultures









Communication is difficult and errors are likely.
The message sent is not always the message received.
Give people time to think and respond.
Speaking louder does not help.
Check your understanding of the message.
If you feel insulted, remember that you can be
misinterpreting the message.
Remain calm and treat others with respect.
Use nonverbal communication.
Don’t forget your sense of humor!
Success at school and work






Gain skills in critical thinking
Have pride in yourself and your culture
Gain an ability to network and learn from
others
Improve interpersonal skills
Learn to be flexible and adapt to the situation
Develop cultural awareness
SMC Resources
Who you can talk to Confidentially

Center for Wellness and Wellbeing
Liberal Arts, Rm 110
(310) 434-4503

Health Services
Health Center
(310) 434-4262

Ombudsperson
Letters & Science, Rm 124
(310) 434-3986
SMC Resources
…
QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS,
THOUGHTS…
Santa Monica Community College District  1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405  310.434.4415
References







Dr. M. Elizabeth Holmes, Executive Vice President & Chief
Learning Officer, Roosevelt Thomas Consulting & Training, from
“Getting Conscious About Managing Diver
Howard Ross Founder & Chief Learning Officer of Cook Ross Inc.,
a diversity training and change management firm based in Silver
Spring, Md
http://med.stanford.edu/diversity/FAQ_REDE.html
https://diversity.ucsf.edu/resources/unconscious-bias
https://www.fastcompany.com/3036627/youre-more-biased-thanyou-think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQXLDGcuezY
http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/