20 Are You Biased?

Having a difference of opinion on a topic or idea is fine. Sometimes opinions are trivial, like “Chocolate is better than vanilla”. But at other times, developing your own opinion takes time.  Researching a topic will be necessary to form an opinion based on what you have learned.  Research includes:

• Reading informative texts about the topic
• Finding credible and reliable sources on the topic
• Reading other opinions on the topic
• Being open to understanding another point of view
• Thinking critically about the topic

When a person decides not to do the research, but still forms an opinion, they are often leaning on their own bias. 

We are all biased. A bias is an opinion or an attitude we have for or against something. Bias stems from:

• Groups that you belong to – Because you are a part of a group, you may be in favor of your group, and its ideas over any other group or ideas
• The beliefs and opinions you have learned from parents, guardians, and those who were influential in your childhood
• Personal experiences and values

We are biased for or against certain people, activities, and ideas. Bias isn’t wrong, but it is important to try to recognize our own biases.

Sometimes we may even use our own experiences or use research from those who agree with us to confirm that we are right. This is called confirmation bias. Instead, it’s best to examine both sides of an issue.

As an educated individual, it is essential to understand that one should NOT  look at an issue or problem or debate ONLY through the lens of one’s own bias.  One must use logical reasoning to consider the perspectives of others as well as the facts regarding the problem, issue, or debate.

Making an effort to recognize your own bias is important. 

We don’t always recognize it, but making an effort to recognize it will help us to be critical thinkers readers, and learners.  A critical thinker doesn’t just say, “I’m right about this!!” without research, reading, and trying to understand another point of view. A critical thinker doesn’t decide that something is true or false based on a few people around them who share their opinions. Critical thinkers make an effort to form their own opinion based on research.