What is unconscious bias?

Unconscious bias, or implicit bias, is a stereotype that you apply to people of a specific group without even realizing it. For example, you may have an implicit belief that people of a larger body size are lazier or less competent than thinner people. Or you might believe that women are always kinder than men, or men are always more confident than women. You can hold unconscious biases toward any social group, including people of a certain ethnicity, gender, weight, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or age group. Unconscious biases are especially prevalent when you're in situations that require fast decision-making or multi-tasking. In these situations, the brain attempts to take mental shortcuts to draw quick conclusions. However, these snap assessments are based on factors such as past experiences, media portrayals, or other stereotypes that you have been exposed to throughout your life.

Why is it important to learn about unconscious bias?

By learning about unconscious bias, you can begin to challenge your own implicit beliefs and gain a fuller understanding of the people around you. When left unchallenged, unconscious bias can lead to unintentional discrimination, which harms not only individuals, but organizations as well. Biases can have a negative effect on recruitment and promotion opportunities in the workplace, causing managers to overlook talent or elevate others based on unsupported beliefs. With that in mind, learning about unconscious bias is especially useful for people in management who want to build a more inclusive team. However, anyone can benefit from recognizing and challenging stereotypes in their daily life.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn about unconscious bias?

Online courses on Coursera on topics related to unconscious bias show you how to create a diverse and inclusive culture in the workplace, including how to identify unconscious biases and take steps to manage them. Since these courses are all remote, you can work on the lessons at your own pace and find ways to fit them into your personal schedule. You can also access the courses anywhere that has an internet connection.

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular unconscious bias courses

Diversity and Inclusion for HR Professionals: University of California, Irvine
The Journey to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging: IE Business School
Healthcare Innovation: What Does Success Look Like and How to Achieve It?: Imperial College London
Inclusive Online Teaching Teach-Out: Johns Hopkins University
Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Unconscious: The University of Edinburgh
An Introduction to Consumer Neuroscience & Neuromarketing: Copenhagen Business School
Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life: The University of Edinburgh
How Music Can Change Your Life: The University of Melbourne
Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science: Dartmouth College
Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges: Lund University

Skills you can learn in Leadership And Management

Leadership (53)

Project Management (30)

Change Management (14)

Innovation (14)

Negotiation (14)

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Frequently Asked Questions about Unconscious Bias

Unconscious bias, or implicit bias, is a stereotype that you apply to people of a specific group without even realizing it. For example, you may have an implicit belief that people of a larger body size are lazier or less competent than thinner people. Or you might believe that women are always kinder than men, or men are always more confident than women. You can hold unconscious biases toward any social group, including people of a certain ethnicity, gender, weight, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or age group.
Unconscious biases are especially prevalent when you're in situations that require fast decision-making or multi-tasking. In these situations, the brain attempts to take mental shortcuts to draw quick conclusions. However, these snap assessments are based on factors such as past experiences, media portrayals, or other stereotypes that you have been exposed to throughout your life.‎
By learning about unconscious bias, you can begin to challenge your own implicit beliefs and gain a fuller understanding of the people around you. When left unchallenged, unconscious bias can lead to unintentional discrimination, which harms not only individuals, but organizations as well. Biases can have a negative effect on recruitment and promotion opportunities in the workplace, causing managers to overlook talent or elevate others based on unsupported beliefs. With that in mind, learning about unconscious bias is especially useful for people in management who want to build a more inclusive team. However, anyone can benefit from recognizing and challenging stereotypes in their daily life.‎
Online courses on Coursera on topics related to unconscious bias show you how to create a diverse and inclusive culture in the workplace, including how to identify unconscious biases and take steps to manage them. Since these courses are all remote, you can work on the lessons at your own pace and find ways to fit them into your personal schedule. You can also access the courses anywhere that has an internet connection.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Filter by

12 results for "unconscious bias"

Diversity and Inclusion for HR Professionals

The Journey to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

Healthcare Innovation: What Does Success Look Like and How to Achieve It?

Inclusive Online Teaching Teach-Out

Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Unconscious

An Introduction to Consumer Neuroscience & Neuromarketing

Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life

How Music Can Change Your Life

Decision-Making: Blending Art & Science

Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges

Love as a Force for Social Justice

FPGA computing systems: Background knowledge and introductory materials

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular unconscious bias courses

Skills you can learn in Leadership And Management

Frequently Asked Questions about Unconscious Bias

What is unconscious bias?‎

Why is it important to learn about unconscious bias?‎

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn about unconscious bias?‎

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Filter by

12 results for "unconscious bias"

In summary, here are 10 of our most popular unconscious bias courses

Skills you can learn in Leadership And Management

Frequently Asked Questions about Unconscious Bias

What is unconscious bias?‎

Why is it important to learn about unconscious bias?‎

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn about unconscious bias?‎

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Browse popular topics

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Earn a degree or certificate online

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