Implicit Bias

Implicit bias is automatic processing in our brain of negative stereotypes that have become embedded in our brain over time about certain groups of people without us being aware of it. There are associations that we relate with certain groups and our brains automatically make us associate things with that group. You can retrain your brain to think differently about a group but it takes time. The way we have been practicing fairness or equality may be flawed. There are things that we have been taught to think or do in certain ways, but our values can often overrule the things we have been taught. Having a bias does make us human. We are most likely all taught to be color blind when we are little and to not judge based on looks, but so many things in society make it where you can't help but think that way. You have to train your brain to process differently if you want to change or stop implicit bias.
It is so important for OT students and practitioners to learn about implicit bias because we will be treating clients of all types of religion, race, and ethnicity. When treating a client, you do not need to let your own values or beliefs get in the way of giving them the treatment they deserve. Even if we believe one thing and they believe another, then you need to make sure you let the client feel comfortable in therapy no matter what. We also should not label or automatically judge a person on the way they look or appear. Each client already suffers some way or they wouldn't need to be there. It is our job to make the therapy environment a safe and welcoming place for them. Our main goal is to help the client improve to do their daily activities independently. As we read or listened to the podcast, our presence is so powerful. If we have a negative look or attitude about a client then their results could be negative and they may not get better.
There are things we can do to examine and address our own bias. For one thing, is to take a survey and see how biased you are from your answers. I know for me personally, I did not think I was being biased until I saw the results. Another thing is to try and train you brain to process differently. Try to replace the biased association. Lastly, you can think about how you want people to treat you and you should treat them the same way. We all want to be accepted and not judged for the things we like, we wear, our race, or what we believe in. I think it is important to treat people the way you would want everyone to treat you. I think this lesson shows how much implicit bias our brains process over time. Even though we may not tend to have bias towards others, it is still there. We have to be aware of what we say and how we act to our clients to make sure we are providing the best treatment possible.