Unconscious bias

Summary

As humans, we tend to think that we are endlessly wise and logical when it comes to making important decisions, both in our professional and personal lives. However, the reality is different. Failing to recognise that a lot of our decisions are biased and consequently ‘sub-optimal’ can be risky.

The unconscious processing system is vital to us but can also negatively affect our decisions.

This course looks at the way in which the human brain processes information and how, in some instances, affects our perspective on things at an unconscious level. It also covers the effects of the unconscious processing system and looks at how we can manage the effects to make better decisions.

Who should attend?

Anyone who wants to understand some of the ways in which our decisions are affected by the way that our brains work. In particular anyone that wants to make better decisions and treat people more ‘equally’.

How will I benefit?

• Understand the difference between your two thinking systems (unconscious “system 1” and conscious “system 2”) and how they interact
• Understand some of the ways that system 1 can affect the way we see things without us being consciously aware of it.
• Recognize some of the key dangers in a decision-making context
• Explore techniques for compensating and managing the inevitable biases arising from system 1
• Plan for some of the more common unconscious biases affecting the way we see people 

Key topics

• The visual cortex and information processing
• Unconscious assumptions and generalisations and how they both help and hinder us
• Perspectives and how they are developed
• The ‘interaction’ between the two systems
• How to better ‘manage’ our conscious thinking system (system 2)
• Strategies we can use to compensate for our unconscious and cognitive biases

Meet our trainers

These trainers regularly teach Unconscious bias.