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Title: Harnessing Visible Representation to Mitigate Bias
Numerous attempts to improve diversity by way of changing the hearts of decision makers have fallen short of the desired outcome. One underappreciated factor that contributes to bias resides not in decision makers’ hearts, but instead in their minds. People possess images, or mental representations, for specific roles and professions. Which mental image or representation springs spontaneously to mind depends on the current status quo within a field. Whether or not an individual or groups’ appearance matches visual stereotypes results in perceptually mediated preferences and prejudices, both of which harbor pernicious assumptions about who belongs in a professional setting and why. Leveraging these scientific insights can enact change. Shifting visible exemplars can change people’s mental representations and their heart’s evaluative reactions to others.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2017245
PAR ID:
10281518
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Volume:
8
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2372-7322
Page Range / eLocation ID:
27 to 33
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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