Exploring Unconscious Bias

This resource allows you to actually engage personally to learn more about bias – a critical component in increasing equity across member organizations and all who we influence. In the Harvard Implicit Bias project, you can take confidential personal bias assessments yourself.

Thank you for investing time to explore unconscious (sometimes called “implicit”) bias and the impact it can have on our decisions and our behavior. As leaders, we must first be self-aware. Only then can we create a plan for improving ourselves and addressing our own unconscious bias in order to model positive behaviors for and towards others. This Unconscious Bias Learning Experience will help you to identify your personal biases (we all have them), reflect on what you learn about yourself, and illuminate your path forward.

Click here to visit the Harvard Implicit Bias Assessments. In order to proceed to the list of implicit bias tests, you will need to read the terms and agree to proceed at the bottom of the page. For more information and context about unconscious bias, please watch the video below prior to taking the Harvard Implicit Bias Assessments. 

Post-assessment Results and Review:

Now you've taken one or more Harvard Implicit Bias Assessments. So what did you learn? Were you surprised by your results? What’s next?

Again, we all have bias, both conscious and unconscious. Being aware of our biases can not only help us better understand ourselves, but also it can help us avoid the potential negative impacts of bias, such as discriminatory or prejudicial behavior. Research indicates biases are impressionable. It’s possible to recognize them, reduce the influence they have and perhaps even to “unlearn” them.

The podcast below explores how to understand strategies for the path forward. This follow up is designed to empower you to apply real changes in response to what you have learned about yourself and your bias.

Your personal journey begins with your new awareness. You control what happens next. As you listen to the podcast or afterward, you may find the worksheet linked below helpful in capturing your ideas for improving your goals. Whether you print it out or open and engage digitally, it's specifically designed to support the bias work and the podcast content.

Goals and Personal Strategies Worksheet

Thank you for taking the time today to further understand unconscious bias! You’ve made an investment in yourself, and this is the first of many opportunities you will have to develop your leadership and engage with others to affect positive change in the world. Please encourage other members of your chapter to participate in this Unconscious Bias Learning Experience. You can find more DEI Initiative resources in our resource page here.