Bias Blind Spot: Lesson Plan

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Bias Blind Spot: Lesson Plan Bias Blind Spot: Oops Didn't See That - Cognitive Biases Series | Academy 4 Social Change Bias Blind Spot: Lesson Plan Topic A bias blind spot is when an individual is unable to see how biases affect their judgment and can ultimately affect their decision-making just like a blind spot affects drivers on the road. Furthermore, when attempting to make a compelling argument or speech, it is important to ensure the argument is logical. In order to present the best argument, be aware of potential biases that can affect your judgement and reasoning. Possible subjects/classes Time needed Psychology, Sociology, Economics, 30-35 minutes Business, Marketing, Civics Video link: https://academy4sc.org/topic/bias-blind-spot-oops-didnt-see-that/ Objective: What will students know/be able to do at the end of class? Students will be able to... ● Define the term bias blind spot. ● Identify specific instances where bias blind spot can be applied. ● Explain how the bias blind spot affects reasoning. Key Concepts & Vocabulary Bias Materials Needed Worksheet Before you watch Think-pair-share: 1. Have you ever made a decision and then later found out that you Bias Blind Spot: Oops Didn't See That - Cognitive Biases Series | Academy 4 Social Change misjudged a situation before making the decision? 2. Have you ever noticed someone else making a decision or judgement that you thought was based on that person’s biases rather than actual facts? While you watch 1. Define Bias Blind Spot. 2. What did the study by Pronin, Lee, and Ross discover about people’s beliefs about their own and others' biases? After you watch/discussion questions 1. What can we do in order to minimize the effect that biases have on the decisions we make? 2. Before you make a decision, do you ever consider why you are truly making that decision? Are there any underlying factors? 3. Do you believe that knowing that bias blind spots exist and affect everyone will allow you to be more aware and therefore be less biased when making decisions? Explain. Activity Ideas ● Students design an experiment to test the bias blind spot of their friends and family. ● Students poll others in the school on whether they believe they are more or less biased than the average student in the school. ● Students work together to make a list of biases that they see as common among their friends and family and then reflect on whether they themselves have those biases as well. Sources/places to learn more 1. Pronin, E.; Lin, D. Y.; Ross, L. (2002). "The Bias Blind Spot: Perceptions of Bias in Self Versus Others". Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 28 (3): 369–381. doi:10.1177/0146167202286008 2. Pronin & Kugler (2006) Valuing thoughts, ignoring behavior: The introspection illusion as a source of the bias blind spot. 3. Pronin, E. (2008). "How We See Ourselves and How We See Others". Science . 320(5880): 1177–1180. doi:10.1126/science.1154199. .
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