What is Bias?
What is Bias?
Bias: an inclination of temperament or outlook especially : a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment : prejudice Source: Merriam Webster
What is the difference between Bias and Fake news you might ask? Biased sources are not lies, however they do not give you all of the facts. When you are biased you only give the information needed to prove your point.
Works Cited
Straub, Kris. "I've Heard the Rhetoric from Both Sides." Chainsawsuit, 2008-2021. https://chainsawsuit.krisstraub.com/20140916.shtml.
Videos
Watch the videos in the right side column for further explanation and examples.
Books on Bias
Books in the Library
Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives by Call Number: BF 575 .P9 R67 2020To be human is to be biased. From this simple truth, nationally recognized diversity expert Howard J. Ross explores the biases we each carry within us. Incorporating anecdotes from today's headlines alongside case studies from over 30 years of diversity consulting, Ross helps readers understand how unconscious bias impacts our day-to-day lives and, particularly, our daily work lives.
The End of Bias: A Beginning: How We can Eliminate Unconscious Bias and Create a More Just World by Call Number: HM 1091 .N67 2021Discussions of unconscious bias typically focus on the problem, not on solutions. But how do we eradicate the unintentional prejudices that clash with our values and wreak havoc across medicine, the workplace, education, policing, and beyond? To find out, award-winning journalist and writer Jessica Nordell undertook a global search for solutions.
Be a Bias Buster!
Be a Bias Buster!
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Explore different kinds of cognitive biases: List of Cognitive Biases
Questions to ask about the source (book, website, magazine, journal, or newspaper):
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What is the purpose of the source? (Does it inform, persuade, present opinions, report research, or sell a product?
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Who is the publisher of the source? (Is it an organization, association, or company?)
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Who is the intended audience of the source? (Is it for the general population or for a select group of people?)
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Where is it published? (Is it local, regional, national, or international?)
Questions to ask about a specific article or landing website:
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Who is the author? (Is an author identified? Are any credentials listed? Is the author qualified to speak on this topic? What other topics has the author written about? Does the author belong to a partisan organization that may influence point of view?)
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What is the purpose of the article? (Is it a review, commentary, editorial, informative article, research article, etc.?)
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What kind of supporting material is offered? (Does the author quote research studies, statistics, or use personal anecdotes or experiences? Is logic applied when drawing conclusions? Are deceptive arguments used?)
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What kind of language is used in the article? (Are inflammatory, loaded, or emotionally-charged words used?)
Additional links that help us think about bias:
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AllSides: Follow the "News" or "Issues" sections to see how individual news stories and sources are rated on a range or liberal, center, or conservative.
Videos
"Cognitive Biases Explained - How to Think Better and More Logically Removing Bias." created by Practical Psychology, Ismonoff TV, 30 Dec. 2016, YouTube, https://youtu.be/wEwGBIr_RIw?si=fMVuTpeoi5df6qo1.
Hartmann, Mike. "Unpacking the Biases that Shape Our Beliefs." TEDxSTJohns, https://youtu.be/dU7Mhne4CzU?si=qwQH9EW-6VV3f46b.