2.2 Unconscious bias can impact your mentoring practice

What is ‘unconscious bias’?

The Oxford English Dictionary states:

• We are all inherently biased and that fact that biases can be unconscious means that we are unaware of them.

• These biases develop throughout our lives and can be influenced by friends, family, cultural background, personal experiences and the media.

• We categorise people based on certain characteristics, such as age, gender, skin colour and disability. If unchecked, this can lead to stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination.

• Discrimination against anyone with one or more protected characteristics is prohibited under the Equality Act (2010).

Types of Unconscious Bias

Watch the clip below and consider how understanding more about your unconscious biases will shape your mentoring practice.