Behind the smile

Bias

A bias is a disposition, proclivity, or prejudice toward or against something or someone. Some biases are positive and beneficial, such as choosing to only eat foods that are considered healthy or avoiding people who have knowingly caused harm. However, biases are frequently based on stereotypes rather than actual knowledge of a person or circumstance. It is often characterized as stereotypes of people based on their group and/or on the immutability of their physical characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. This kind of prejudice can have harmful results in the real world. People may or may not be aware of these prejudices. Bias is a natural tendency to an idea, an object, a collective, or an individual. It is often learned and depends heavily on variables such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, education, etc. At the individual level, discriminatory treatment can have a negative impact on people's personal and professional connections; it can lead to unfair persecution of the Holocaust and slavery at the society level. Beginning at an early age, people will distinguish themselves from their 'outgroup' between who are like them and who are not like them. They can gain a sense of identity and security on the other side. This classification can, however, lead to extreme prejudicial and foster an 'us-to-them' mentality