Bias and How to Reduce It

Terms

Bias -Noun - prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Explicit Bias-Bias we have that we choose not to correct

Implicit Bias- Bias we do not know we have

In-Group Bias- Bias we feed by only trusting the opinions and feedback of people who are like us or in our group

Confirmation Bias- Bias we feed by disregarding all evidence to the contrary

Hindsight Bias- Bias that exists because we mistakenly believe the choices of the past were easier, because we have access to more information are less stressed and have more time.

Bias by Proxy- Bias we embody because of intentionally misleading, biased reports

RECOMMENDED READING Bias Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World ​ Racial Reconciliation and Justice Citizen: An American Lyric Theology From the Womb of Asia White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism Transformative Lutheran Theologies: Feminist, Womanist, and Mujerista Perspectives Theology from the Womb of Asia ELCA Social Statement on Race, Ethnicity and Culture (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on Immigration (English and Spanish) ​ LGBTQ Issues Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians Queerly Lutheran Queer Commentary and the Hebrew Bible ELCA Social Statement on Human Sexuailty (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on Gender-Based Violence (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on Sexuality (English and Spanish) ​ Women's Issues Preaching from Home: The Stories of Seven Lutheran Women Hymn Writers ELCA Social Statement on Abortion (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on Gender-Based Violence (English and Spanish) ​ Hunger and Poverty Luther and the Hungry Poor: Gathered Fragments ELCA Social Statement on Economic Life (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on Homelessness (English and Spanish) ​ Health and Differing Abilities ELCA Social Message on People Living with Disabilities (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on Mental Illness (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on AIDS (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on End of Life Decisions (English and Spanish) ELCA Social Message on Suicide Prevention (English and Spanish) ​ Interfaith Resources The INTRAfaith Conversation: How Do Christians Talk Among Ourselves About INTERfaith Matters The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World ​ Books for Youth and Young Adults Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints ​ Children's Books The Radical Jesus Story Mr. Grumpy Christian Transgender Children of God Is it a Boy, Girl or Both? Never Again

Outside Resources Bias Education Implicit Bias: What We Don’t Think We Think - Free online course  / Workbook / Resource for preachers and teachers Critical Practices for Anti-Bias Education ​ Racial Reconciliation and Justice Becoming a Beloved Community: Vision, Plan and Resources (English, Spanish and Kreyòl) ​ LGBTQ Education Gender Identity and Our Faith Communities Reconciling Works Resources ​