A psychologist who won a 2014 MacArthur "genius" grant explores the daily repercussions of implicit bias in how teachers, retail managers, police officers, judges, journalists, and others do their work and make decisions.
This long-awaited book...proves to be an artful and compelling read ... The result is a powerful primer about bias which will prove useful for those new to the topic as well as those well-versed in the topic. This is my field and still, Eberhardt’s book brought me to research I did not know or which resonated with me in new ways through her explanations. Biased offers both novices and experts plenty to think about ... Eberhardt abandons the jargon-speak of academic research and speaks to the reader’s head, heart and soul ... Readers who enjoy stories explained by science and science explained by stories will appreciate Eberhardt’s adoption of this popular narrative voice. Eberhardt’s storytelling is particularly compelling when she connects the science to her lived experience as an African-American woman and mother of three African-American sons ... Whether this is the first book you have picked up on the topic of bias or yet another you are adding to your expertise on the topic, Biased is a book worth your time.
...[an] unexpectedly poignant overview of the research on cognitive biases and stereotypes, especially racial bias in criminal justice ... Eberhardt gives striking examples from her research of how racial categories and stereotypes affect perception ... The experiments and observational studies reported in Biased are important and illuminating. They’re brought to life by stories from Eberhardt’s own experience ... The book has one weakness. Eberhardt doesn’t spend much time on alternative hypotheses. Implicit bias isn’t the only way to think about...the millions of...encounters that take place each year between citizens and the police.
Biased is a reminder that no one is immune to implicit bias; Eberhardt ... certainly makes a strong case ... In many ways, Biased offers answers, but unfortunately, it contains no easy fixes. The issue is extremely complicated, as Eberhardt shows by laying out the myriad of factors involved, including our historical and cultural context. She does, however, offer thoughtful analysis of steps that have been taken to fight ingrained prejudice and the successes that have been achieved so far. Ultimately, Biased is a valuable resource for understanding and explaining implicit bias. It is at once validating and eye-opening, disheartening and hopeful.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay[/caption]
