Unconscious Bias and Implicit Associations in the Workplace

Unconscious Bias and Implicit Associations in the Workplace

Unconscious bias, also known as implicit bias, is important to consider as you think about how you engage in your everyday life, and especially in the workplace. In this assignment, you will watch one 4-minute video about unconscious bias, take an assessment of implicit associations from Harvard University’s Project Implicit, and then answer two reflection questions about unconscious bias. The hope is that this assignment will provide you with an awareness of both unconscious bias and implicit associations so that you may begin to reflect on how unconscious bias and implicit associations show up in your words and actions. Understanding your own unconscious bias and implicit associations is key as you embark on your career and seek to create meaningful, equitable, and inclusive professional relationships.

Instructions

1. Sign into LinkedIn Learning through UMD at https://linkedinlearning.umd.edu/ Links to an external site.
2. Watch “Implicit Associations & Unconscious Bias Links to an external site.” by Daisy Lovelace (4m 7s) on LinkedIn Learning (links to an external site)
3. Take one of the Project Implicit tests Links to an external site. (links to an external site) from Harvard University. After the page loads, read the preliminary information and click “I wish to proceed” at the bottom of the page. You should see a list of 14 different implicit associations tests (IAT). From here, please select one IAT of your choosing and complete the test. You do not need to share your results, but please respond thoughtfully to the reflection questions while bearing the experience in mind.
4. Respond to two reflection questions.

Evaluation 

To receive points for this assignment, respond to the following reflection questions with approximately 125-250 words per question (equivalent to between half of a page to a full page double-spaced for each question). You may submit either a Word file or a link to a Google Doc with your responses. If you share a Google Doc, please make sure that you allow edit access for anyone who has the link.

1. After seeing the results from the Project Implicit test you completed, what are your reactions? How do you feel about your results? Do your results line up with what you expected to see? Please make sure to state which Project Implicit test you took in your response.
2. After watching the video and taking the Project Implicit test, how do you imagine unconscious bias might show up in the workplace and how do you think it could be appropriately addressed?

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For more information and additional resources, visit: careers.umd.edu (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.