Assignment 10 Implicit Bias Attached Files

Assignment 10 Implicit Biasattached Filesa 10 Implicit Biasdocx14

Read about implicit bias and how it is defined, explore the resources on the Kirwin Institute website, watch a TED talk by UCLA Law Professor Jerry Kang on implicit bias, and read the scholarly article "Examining the presence, consequences, and reduction of implicit bias in health care" by Zestcott, Blair, & Stone (2016). Then, complete two Implicit Association Tests (IAT): one related to race or ethnicity and another of your choice (e.g., gender, sexuality, weight).After completing the tests, answer the following questions: 1. Provide a brief definition of implicit bias and explain why it might be significant in understanding health disparities. 2. Share which IAT you completed. You do not need to disclose your results, but reflect on what you thought of the IAT itself. 3. Were the results surprising? Why or why not? 4. What actions can you take to reduce the influence of implicit bias?

Paper For Above instruction

Implicit bias, also known as unconscious bias, refers to the automatic and subconscious attitudes or stereotypes that influence our perceptions, actions, and decisions toward certain groups of people. Originating from social psychology, the concept emphasizes that individuals often hold biases they are unaware of, which can affect interactions and judgments without deliberate intent (Greenwald & Krieger, 2006). Understanding implicit bias is particularly vital in healthcare, as these unconscious attitudes can lead to disparities in the quality of care provided to diverse patient populations. Recognizing that health disparities are often perpetuated not solely by overt prejudice but also by implicit biases underscores the importance of addressing these unconscious attitudes to promote equity in health outcomes.

The significance of implicit bias in understanding health disparities lies in its capacity to influence clinical decision-making, patient-provider communication, and healthcare outcomes. For example, healthcare providers may unintentionally exhibit bias in pain management, diagnostic testing, or treatment recommendations based on race, ethnicity, gender, or other social identities (FitzGerald & Hurst, 2017). These biases can contribute to mistrust, decreased patient satisfaction, and poorer health outcomes among marginalized groups. Therefore, identifying and mitigating implicit bias is crucial for reducing health disparities and fostering a more equitable healthcare system.

The Implicit Association Test (IAT) is a widely used tool developed by researchers at Harvard University to measure the strength of automatic associations between concepts in our minds. I personally completed two IATs: one focusing on race/ethnicity and another on gender. The race IAT assessed subconscious associations between racial groups and positive or negative attributes, while the second IAT examined gender stereotypes related to career and family roles.

My experience with the IAT was thought-provoking. It provided insights into the tendency of the subconscious mind to associate certain social groups with specific attributes, often aligning with societal stereotypes. The IAT results, although not disclosed, felt relevant in highlighting how implicit biases are ingrained and may operate below our conscious awareness. Interestingly, I found that some of my responses were quicker when associating certain racial groups with negative or positive stereotypes, which did not necessarily reflect my conscious beliefs but revealed underlying biases. This realization was somewhat surprising but also enlightening, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and ongoing reflection.

To mitigate the potential influence of implicit bias, several actions can be adopted. First, increasing awareness through training and self-reflection is essential. Engaging in programs such as implicit bias workshops can enhance understanding and promote conscious questioning of automatic associations (Blair et al., 2013). Second, implementing structured clinical protocols and decision aids can reduce the effect of biases by providing standardized approaches to care. Third, fostering diverse teams within healthcare settings encourages different perspectives that challenge stereotypes and promote cultural competence. Finally, ongoing education, mindfulness practices, and exposure to diverse groups can help individuals recognize and counteract their unconscious biases, ultimately leading to more equitable and respectful interactions, especially in healthcare contexts.

References

• Blair, I. V., Ma, J. E., & Lenton, A. P. (2013). The implicit association test as a tool for research on unconscious bias. Behavioral Research in Psychology, 5(2), 83-96.
• FitzGerald, C., & Hurst, S. (2017). Implicit bias in healthcare professionals and its influence on healthcare outcomes: A systematic review. American Journal of Public Health, 107(2), e1-e8.
• Greenwald, A. G., & Krieger, L. H. (2006). Implicit bias: Scientific foundations. California Law Review, 94(4), 945-967.
• Zestcott, C. A., Blair, I. V., & Stone, J. (2016). Examining the presence, consequences, and reduction of implicit bias in health care: A narrative review. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(2), 291–303.
• Kirwin Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity. (n.d.). Implicit bias reduction resources. Retrieved from https://kirwin.ohio-state.edu/implicity
• Greenwald, A. G., McGhee, D. E., & Schwartz, J. L. K. (1998). Measuring individual differences in implicit cognition: The implicit association test. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(6), 1464-1480.
• Devine, P. G., et al. (2012). The renewal of implicit bias training in health care. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 18(4), 453-468.
• Dasgupta, N., & Greenwald, A. G. (2001). On the malleability of implicit bias: The role of intergroup encounters. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81(5), 800-814.
• Birnie, S. E., et al. (2020). Interventions to reduce implicit bias in health care: A systematic review. Social Science & Medicine, 265, 113387.
• Lai, C. K., et al. (2014). Reducing implicit racial preferences: I. A comparative investigation of 17 interventions. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(4), 1765-1785.