How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias | Valerie Alexander | TEDxPasadena

Summary

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker explores the subconscious biases and stress responses that arise when encountering unfamiliar social situations, particularly in the context of gender and diversity in the tech industry. Through personal anecdotes and scientific insights, she highlights how unexamined behavior perpetuates inequality. The speaker encourages proactive visualization of diverse scenarios to reshape perceptions and promote inclusivity. By challenging traditional norms and examining our reactions to others, she advocates for a conscious effort to normalize diversity, ultimately aiming for greater equality and understanding in professional environments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Visualizing diverse scenarios helps challenge our unconscious biases.
• 😀 The brain's amygdala reacts instinctively to the unexpected, triggering a stress response.
• 😀 Social perceptions often limit how we visualize individuals in roles such as pilots, CEOs, or couples.
• 😀 Men may fear working with women due to potential reputational risks, influenced by past negative behaviors of others.
• 😀 Women often take on roles or responsibilities that aren't theirs, reinforcing gender disparities in the workplace.
• 😀 It's essential to examine our own behaviors to ensure we're treating all colleagues equitably.
• 😀 Unexamined behaviors can perpetuate gender bias, often without the intent of those exhibiting them.
• 😀 Creating a culture of safety in discussions about gender dynamics can foster allyship and support.
• 😀 Normalizing diversity in leadership and representation can shift perceptions across generations.
• 😀 Actively exposing ourselves and others to diversity is crucial for transforming unexpected encounters into the expected.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the initial visualization exercise?

The visualization exercise aims to highlight how our brains create images based on familiarity, revealing biases that can lead to stress responses when faced with the unfamiliar.

How does the brain react to unexpected social situations, according to the speaker?

The speaker explains that encountering something unexpected activates the amygdala, triggering a stress response that includes the release of cortisol, leading to feelings of anxiety or discomfort.

What specific example does the speaker provide about gender dynamics in the tech industry?

The speaker recounts a conversation with a potential investor who hesitated to use a common phrase ('ping me') due to fear of miscommunication related to gender dynamics, reflecting the heightened scrutiny women face in professional settings.

What irony does the speaker mention regarding perceptions of her as a female CEO?

The speaker notes that she is seen as both a 'dangerous' figure and 'invisible' due to her age and gender, illustrating the complex biases that exist in the investment landscape.

What issue does the speaker raise regarding women's behavior in the workplace?

The speaker discusses how women often take on tasks that are not their responsibility, which can lead to burnout and reinforce negative expectations about their capabilities.

How does the speaker suggest changing perceptions of women in the workplace?

She advocates for examining our behaviors, confronting biases, and making the unexpected expected by visualizing diverse scenarios and actively challenging norms.

What is the significance of the 'two generations' reference in the transcript?

The speaker highlights that two generations have grown up seeing a Black president, suggesting that normalizing diversity can reshape expectations and perceptions in society.

What are the three strategies the speaker offers to address bias?

The strategies include visualizing diverse scenarios, examining one's behavior in unexpected situations, and consciously exposing oneself and others to diverse experiences and individuals.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of questioning unexamined behavior?

She believes that unexamined behaviors can perpetuate inequality and biases, and that self-reflection is crucial for fostering a more equitable environment.

What role does the amygdala play in our response to social interactions?

The amygdala triggers the stress response when faced with unexpected social situations, causing physiological reactions that can hinder effective communication and collaboration.