research foundations and pedagogy
Several research studies of anti-bias trainings show that knowledge-based interventions to mitigate the impact of implicit bias are more successful in affecting outcomes than are ones designed to reduce levels of implicit bias itself (Carnes et al., 2015; Devine, Forscher, Austin, & Cox, 2012; Forscher & Devine, 2017). Using a combination of research, storytelling and engaging activities, Moving Beyond Bias will motivate participants in their specific efforts to reduce bias, shrink disparities and foster diversity and inclusivity at their university.
The training modules cover a wide range of media and research examples of how implicit biases, no matter how subtle, can contribute to larger disparities in the classroom, in the workplace, and on campus (Greenwald, Poehlman, Uhlmann, & Banaji, 2009; Jost et al., 2009).
The modules emphasize that bias is a natural habit of the mind that can be disrupted. Research shows that implicit bias is more likely to be triggered under certain conditions, e.g., time constraints; high levels of fatigue, stress and distraction; and low levels of motivation to change behavior or protocol. Trainers will go over examples of how to reduce the effects of these “resource depletions” and will help participants identify where these conditions are present in their functional area, department or organization, and what they can do to change these conditions.
Moving Beyond Bias is modeled after Dr. Patricia Devine’s five-strategy framework that empowers participants to practice the following strategies to mitigate the impact of bias.