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KnowledgeCity

Unconscious Bias

Learn to identify and overcome unconscious bias.
Preview the first lesson free — get full access to all 17 lessons.
Course: On-Demand
Essential Provider KnowledgeCity  4 chapters ·  17 Lessons ·  26m  in Arabic, English, Spanish, Polish, Vietnamese, Chinese 

Course Description

Everyone has a bias of some kind. Our unconscious bias is an unintentional predisposition we are not actively aware of. Understanding unconscious bias is essential in the workplace and in life. When we are not actively aware of our internal biases it can skew treatment of others, as well as judgments in hiring teams, leading teams, and interacting with teams. This course is designed to give you an overview of what unconscious bias is, a look at the types of unconscious bias, and provide tips you can use to overcome your own unconscious bias.

The word “bias” may have sparked a negative image in your mind. While biases do have a negative connotation at times, some biases exist without malignant intention, and often seem out of our control. This is considered an unconscious bias and we all have them. These biases occur automatically when our brains make quick judgments of people and situations, based on all kinds of varied reasons. Although having these unconscious biases might be out of our control, it is our responsibility as professionals and upstanding citizens to manage and maintain them, thus taking control of their impact in life and in the workplace. Our unconscious bias might not always be problematic, but it will become so if we allow it to affect the lives of those around us in a negative manner. This “Unconscious Bias” training course will give you all the information you need in order to prevent any unconscious bias you might have from affecting you and the people you work with so you can best maintain your professionalism, as well as your integrity.

What You'll Learn

  • Understand the unconscious mind and how it differs from the conscious mind
  • Determine what bias looks like and specify the different types of unconscious bias
  • Explore how unconscious bias affects the workplace, including implicit and cultural bias
  • Identify your own biases and find ways to overcome unconscious bias
  • Provide and tackle examples of unconscious bias in the workplace

Key Takeaways

  • Everyone has unconscious biases, which are unintentional predispositions we are not actively aware of.
  • Unconscious biases occur automatically when our brains make quick judgments of people and situations based on varied reasons.
  • Unaddressed unconscious bias can skew the treatment of others and judgments in hiring, leading, and interacting with teams.
  • Although unconscious bias may feel out of our control, professionals are responsible for managing and maintaining it to control its impact.
  • Managing unconscious bias helps you maintain your professionalism and integrity in life and in the workplace.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unconscious bias according to this course?

Unconscious bias is an unintentional predisposition we are not actively aware of. These biases occur automatically when our brains make quick judgments of people and situations based on all kinds of varied reasons, and we all have them.

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for professionals, as understanding unconscious bias is essential in the workplace and in life. It helps you prevent any unconscious bias from affecting you and the people you work with.

What does this course cover?

The course gives an overview of what unconscious bias is, looks at the types of unconscious bias, and provides tips you can use to overcome your own unconscious bias. It covers the conscious versus unconscious mind, the impact of bias, specific bias types such as affinity, attribution, beauty, confirmation, conformity, contrast effect, halo effect, horns effect, and gender, identifying your own biases, and ways to overcome unconscious bias.

What skills will I gain from this course?

The course develops skills in empathy, self-awareness, biasing, implicit cognition, and social influences.

Does the course address bias in the workplace specifically?

Yes. It explores how unconscious bias affects the workplace, provides and illustrates examples of unconscious and implicit bias in the workplace, categorizes cultural bias in the workplace, and covers how to tackle unconscious bias at work.

Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®)

Professional Development Credits (PDCs): 0.5

Certification Program Categories:
Leadership & NavigationBusiness AcumenConsultationGlobal MindsetEthical PracticeRelationship ManagementAnalytical AptitudeCommunicationDiversity, Equity & Inclusion

KnowledgeCity is approved by SHRM as a Recertification General Provider to offer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits (PDCs). By taking the courses approved by SHRM, KnowledgeCity can award SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for HR knowledge and competency programs related to the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (the SHRM BASK™).