Why we all have unconscious bias – and what we can do about it.
By Imke Odendahl
Working with human behavior in professional environments means facing a key challenge: learning to recognize and deal with unconscious bias. These biases affect how we perceive others, how we make decisions, and how we interact — often without us even noticing.
There are many types of unconscious bias, but in this article, we’ll focus on five that are especially common and influential in both business and personal life.
5 Common Biases That Shape Our Judgments
- Affinity Bias
The tendency to favor or evaluate more positively people who are similar to us — in background, personality, or values. - Perception Bias
When we accept stereotypes as truth without questioning or looking for evidence. - Confirmation Bias
The tendency to seek out information that confirms what we already believe, and to ignore or dismiss anything that challenges those beliefs. - Halo Effect
The tendency to form a positive impression of someone based on a single favorable trait or piece of information, and then apply that impression to other areas — even when not justified. - Group Effect
The tendency to conform to group behavior or opinions to avoid standing out, even when we might privately disagree.
These biases are not signs of bad character or poor judgment. They are built into the way the human brain processes information — quickly, automatically, and often without conscious control.
Where Do These Biases Come From?
To understand unconscious bias, we need to understand how the brain works. It operates through two systems:
- System 1 is fast, intuitive, and unconscious. It reacts automatically and relies on mental shortcuts (called heuristics). This system was shaped by evolution to help us respond quickly to our environment — especially in situations that might involve risk or threat.
- System 2 is slower, more deliberate, and conscious. It’s responsible for analyzing information, evaluating options, and making thoughtful decisions. System 2 depends on language and is connected to more recently evolved parts of the brain, especially the prefrontal cortex.
System 1 often reacts first. For example, imagine you’re watching a horror movie and suddenly hear a noise in the kitchen. System 1 triggers fear — it’s a potential threat. Then System 2 steps in and reasons: “It’s probably just the wind.”
This process shows how System 2 can regulate the automatic reactions of System 1. And this is also how we can begin to manage our unconscious biases: not by trying to eliminate them entirely, but by becoming more aware and using reflection to counterbalance instinct.
A Legacy of the Past
The structures connected to System 1 were shaped in early human history, when we lived in small, homogenous groups. In that context, outsiders could bring disease or danger, and quick judgment was necessary for survival. These ancient mechanisms helped detect threats — but today, they can lead to automatic negative reactions to people who are different from us.
Even though our environments have changed, the brain’s structure hasn’t. These automatic reactions can still influence how we think and act — especially in high-pressure situations where we don’t stop to reflect.
That’s why implicit biases are often described as an unwanted but universal legacy of our evolutionary past. They can influence everyday behavior — for example, favoring certain people in hiring processes, even without realizing it.
These biases can be measured using Implicit Association Tests (IATs). But identifying bias is only the first step.
What Can We Do?
It takes time and patience to accept that we are influenced by things we don’t fully control. But change is possible — and necessary.
Addressing bias starts with awareness, but it also requires consistent action. Naming inappropriate behavior at the right moment, and in the right way, can help people notice patterns they weren’t aware of. Over time, this builds understanding — both of ourselves and others.
As economist and researcher Regina Madalozzo puts it:
“I really like the word educate. Educate people about what they’re up against. Educate people about themselves. Some behaviors we can change — others are more difficult. But what’s possible, we try to transform.”
6 Practical Tips to Work on Unconscious Bias
- Recognize that everyone has bias — including you.
- Identify your assumptions about others.
- Step out of your comfort zone and reflect on your patterns.
- Challenge your status quo by connecting with what’s different.
- Share knowledge about bias with your team.
- Promote self-reflection and analysis of your own behavior.
Unconscious bias isn’t something we can eliminate completely — but it is something we can learn to manage. The better we understand how our minds work, the more prepared we are to make thoughtful, fair, and ethical decisions in the environments we live and work in today.
At Human Logic Academy, we believe that real transformation begins with understanding ourselves and others. Through our behavioral style methodology and training programs, we help professionals and organizations grow in awareness, adaptability, and impact.
Want to know more about how to tackle unconscious bias in your organization?
Get in touch with us. We’re here to support your journey.
