6-2-3 Bias Explained

Key Concepts

Understanding 6-2-3 Bias involves grasping three key concepts:

1. Types of Bias
2. Recognizing Bias
3. Mitigating Bias

Types of Bias

Bias refers to the tendency to favor one thing, person, or group over others in a way that is not fair. There are several types of bias, including:

• Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs.
• Stereotyping: The tendency to judge people based on preconceived notions about their group.
• Selection Bias: The tendency to focus on certain types of information or data while ignoring others.
• Halo Effect: The tendency to allow one positive characteristic to influence one's overall impression of a person or thing.

Recognizing Bias

Recognizing bias involves being aware of the ways in which our own perspectives and experiences can influence our judgments. This includes:

• Self-Reflection: Regularly examining one's own thoughts and decisions to identify any biases.
• Critical Analysis: Analyzing information and sources to identify any potential biases.
• Diverse Perspectives: Seeking out and considering viewpoints different from one's own.

Mitigating Bias

Mitigating bias involves taking steps to reduce the impact of biases on one's decisions and judgments. Strategies include:

• Diverse Input: Involving a variety of people with different perspectives in discussions and decision-making processes.
• Structured Decision-Making: Using systematic and objective methods to make decisions.
• Continuous Learning: Staying informed about different cultures, experiences, and viewpoints to broaden one's understanding.

Examples and Analogies

Think of bias as a pair of tinted glasses. Just as tinted glasses color your view of the world, bias colors your perception of information and people. For example, if you have a confirmation bias, it's like wearing glasses that only let you see information that supports your beliefs.

Example: In a classroom discussion, a student might have a stereotyping bias, assuming that a classmate who is good at math will also be good at science based on their perceived group (e.g., "math people").

Practical Application

To practice recognizing and mitigating bias, follow these steps:

1. Identify a situation where you need to make a decision or form an opinion.
2. Reflect on your own potential biases and how they might influence your judgment.
3. Seek out diverse perspectives and information to gain a broader understanding.
4. Use structured methods to make your decision, ensuring objectivity.
5. Review your decision and consider how different perspectives might have influenced it.