Bias in bias recognition: People view others but not themselves as biased by preexisting beliefs and social stigmas

Abstract

Biases perpetuate when people think that they are innocent whereas others are guilty of biases. We examined whether people would detect biased thinking and behavior in others but not themselves as influenced by preexisting beliefs (myside bias) and social stigmas (social biases). The results of three large studies showed that, across demographic groups, participants attributed more biases to others than to themselves, and that this self-other asymmetry was particularly salient among those who hold strong beliefs about the existence of biases (Study 1 and Study 2). The self-other asymmetry in bias recognition dissipated when participants made simultaneous predictions about others' and their own thoughts and behaviors (Study 3). People thus exhibit bias in bias recognition, and this metacognitive bias may be remedied when it is highlighted to people that we are all susceptible to biasing influences.

Testing for Implicit Gender Bias among Plastic Surgeons

“…Furthermore, research suggests that automatic preferences and associated prejudice may be altered by changing the social context of the stigmatized groups. 20 Devine and colleagues created an “intervention” with five mutually-reinforcing strategies (stereotype, replacement, counter-stereotypic imaging, individuation, perspective taking, and increasing opportunities for contact), which they felt, when compared with a control group, showed encouraging evidence in promoting lasting reductions in implicit bias. 21 Although it is unclear if these types of interventions applied in the context of racial bias would also be effective for gender bias, in America, the Association of Women Surgeons’ 2019 Task Force reported the practice of “counter-stereotyping,” suggesting that departments give conscious consideration to inviting women and ethnic minority speakers to grand rounds and other local conferences.…”

“…There is a multitude of research highlighting that we are more likely to recognize biases in others, than in ourselves. 20 Moreover, the more firmly-held an individual’s belief about the widespread presence of bias, the more likely they are to see this bias in others, but not themselves. Therefore, it may be that although plastic surgery as a community has been extremely vocal about recognizing and articulating the presence of bias, at an individual level it is perhaps easier to ascribe that bias to others.…”

Intersectional Invisibility in Women’s Diversity Interventions

“…Moreover, studying biases and social inequity may lead social scientists to believe that gendered and racialized issues occur less frequently within their occupations or institutions ( Matias et al, 2021 ). However, we must be vigilant of possibly falling into a bias blind spot ( Pronin et al, 2002 ; Wang and Jeon, 2020 ) and engaging in ways that invisibilize these very inequalities (e.g., Bonilla-Silva and Baiocchi, 2001 ). In the meantime, this study is meant to be taken as a general start to undertake more attention to possible intersectional differences in diversity interventions for women.…”

Author Reply to “Regarding ‘Subacromial Decompression in Patients With Shoulder Impingement With an Intact Rotator Cuff: An Expert Consensus Statement Using the Modified Delphi Technique Comparing North American to European Shoulder Surgeons’”

“…Myside bias is another very common type of cognitive bias, and surgeons tend to prefer to process information that confirms their own previous beliefs, opinions, and attitudes. 18,19 Rather than asking ourselves why we continue to perform SAD, should we not ask ourselves how to reduce confirmation myside bias to the best of our abilities, and at least attempt to provide the best-possible treatment for our patients? Admittedly, this is not always possible, and evidencebased medicine is often unable to help us.…”