Implicit Bias And Why We Should Begin To Recognize Our Own:

Implicit bias, is bias that we carry, on an unconscious level, for others who are different from us. In our working conscious minds, we might say we are not bias against a certain this or that. But when faced with certain situations, a voice may go off in our heads, and we may treat the other person or people in a judgmental way. This can happen before we even realize it’s happening. Effecting our facial expression, body actions, and language used towards the one receiving our implicit bias. As OT students and future practitioners it is important for us to take a real and honest look at our own implicit biases. Not so we can beat ourselves up for being closed in our thinking. Really just the opposite, so we can begin to do the work to be more open and fully accepting of all beings. Why? Well if we can do this, it will help us to give truth to the meaning behind the words, client centered. When we begin to learn about others who are different from us, and take time to hear their life’s story.  We can begin to understand where they are coming from. If we can begin to recognize what some of our unconscious triggers of judgement might be we can stop them before they get in the way of us being able to treat our clients fairly by allowing ourselves to fully listen to their needs and wants. We might believe we are already doing this but there could still be an underlying thought in the back of our head that our plan is really better. Everyone has implicit bias even if we feel we do not. It is inevitable, we are human after all. Educating ourselves is a great way to begin the internal dialog on being open to learn. And therefore start the journey of really seeing and hearing individuals for who they really are, not our made up stereotype. 

Ways to actually begin to address our own implicit bias. Educate yourself by taking an implicit bias survey or quiz. This is a great place to start for you can get a reading on where you are compared to where you thought you were. Take time to learn about others through podcast or narrative stories. Genuinely engage in conversation with someone whom you know might view things differently from you. Go into the conversation with the attitude of learning something new, not about having to prove yourself or stand up for something. Be present. Just being there with true intent goes a long way. Join a group that teaches and promotes diversity. In our field of occupational therapy COTAD is a great way to begin to open yourself and learn about others while addressing topics that might be hard but important to broach. Another really great way to begin to work on your own implicit bias is through self reflection and journaling about your findings.

This topic has reminded me on the importance of really being present and not letting our minds just go on auto-pilot. To learn and practice being a real active listener. To stretch oneself, even when it is uncomfortable. Growth is never easy nor is it always pretty but it is necessary, for life is ever evolving. Being stuck in an old mindset is stagnation. 

As an OT student and future occupational therapist, I am committed to life long learning. Most importantly, we are all human, no matter what are differences are we all deserve to be treated equally, engage in meaningful occupations, and have quality of life. If we all start to take the first step, by recognizing what our own implicit biases are with the intention of working on them, we can begin to create the space for positive change to actually happen. One step at a time. This might seem small but if we all honestly do this, that is a lot of steps happening thus creating movement in the open direction.