Bias

Putting People in Boxes

We can believe things about ourselves and others because of our gender, race, the way we dress… can you think of other things we see and hear that tends to result in us putting people in boxes?

This super-fast putting people in boxes is called bias.

Bias is like having a favourite without even realising it. It’s when our brains make quick judgments about people or situations based on things like appearance, stereotypes, past experiences and more.

We saw bias at work in UNBOXED, where each person had perhaps been put in a box. 

What biases did you think the people in the performance had experienced?

Now, here’s the thing about bias – it can be sneaky! Sometimes, we don’t even know it’s there because it happens so quickly in our minds. But even though bias happens automatically, it can still influence the way we treat people or make decisions.

Bias can lead to unfair treatment or discrimination against certain groups of people based on things like race, gender, sexuality, abilities and more. It can show up in big ways, like when someone is denied a job because of their identity, or in small ways, like when someone assumes something about you just because of how you look.

The important thing to remember is that we all have biases – it’s just part of being human. But by learning about our biases and being aware of how they can affect our actions, we can work to overcome them and treat everyone with fairness and respect.

Have you experienced bias? For example where you believe someone has judged something about you unfairly or put you in a box?

What sorts of biases do you see exist in your school or community? Who is more liked and respected?

What do you think influences the kind of biases you have, for example the sorts of people you trust more than others?

How can recognising and challenging bias contribute to a better community?

When we put others in boxes, we can say and do things towards them that make people feel unvalued or stereotyped. Even if it’s said or done with a positive intention, these things can still be hurtful.

Want to explore ways these boxes can be harmful?