Implicit Bias Seminar

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Implicit Bias is the Poison That Permeates Our Beliefs and Behaviors

>>> Registration for this program is closed. If you are interested in a future Implicit Bias seminar, send an email to info@sdarj.org, and we’ll consider setting up another program in the future.

We all have conscious biases, stereotypes and even prejudices directed at other individuals and groups.  Many of us do our best to recognize and control these often-irrational beliefs.  But research conducted over the last 20 years demonstrates a more insidious hidden set of biases that is a natural cognitive process in how we learn to organize and understanding our milieus.  This recent revelation about cognition has been labeled “implicit bias” and is the center of much research on their influence on our behavior in social intercourse.  Implicit bias is an automatic reaction towards others and involves emotions and feelings.  And we don’t even realize that it’s happening and how it colors both who we are and how we treat others.  There are several techniques developed to explore these biases. The Implicit Association Test developed at Harvard University has been found to reliably measure unconscious bias in individuals.

All participants are expected to be active in the seminar discussions (this will not be a lecture) and are asked to read articles that they will be sent by email to prepare for the seminar.  The materials include instructions for going to the IAT website and taking several of the tests.  These results may surprise you, but please be assured you are not required to share your personal results in the seminar.  The main purpose is to build personal awareness.

Founders of the Lewes Seminar Series, Dr. Aram Terzian and Mr. David White, will lead the seminar discussion. Aram Terzian, the organizer of this particular seminar, has a doctorate in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and has recently retired after a 46 year career at the Community College of Philadelphia.  David White has led and partners with Aram on all the Lewes Seminars.