These play out in the workplace too, especially in hiring and promotions decisions.
That tall handsome man look just like a leader should, but that plump middle aged lady? How can we send her to a meeting with the client? She looks like someone’s mum (and someone’s mum couldn’t possibly be a leader)!
Sure, her qualification cations and experience are a bit better than his, but I’ve just got a good feeling about this guy!
Let’s hire him, he’ll fit in better.
And this sort of bias isn’t just male/female, young/old or good looking/plain. It’s tall/short, straight/LGBTQ, white/POC, and non-neurodivergent and neurodivergent.
From my work area, I’ve noticed that the availability heuristic often prevents taking even small actions in any generation. Small Action is needed to make a huge difference.
The information they believe is often narrowed and skewed by a few people’s accumulated opinions, as it’s easily accessible, and they already get used to it. It’s touchy to argue somebody’s views if they are close in daily life. “Act for facts” is always crucial. Thanks, Magdalena, for the reminder to everybody!
These play out in the workplace too, especially in hiring and promotions decisions.
That tall handsome man look just like a leader should, but that plump middle aged lady? How can we send her to a meeting with the client? She looks like someone’s mum (and someone’s mum couldn’t possibly be a leader)!
Sure, her qualification cations and experience are a bit better than his, but I’ve just got a good feeling about this guy!
Let’s hire him, he’ll fit in better.
And this sort of bias isn’t just male/female, young/old or good looking/plain. It’s tall/short, straight/LGBTQ, white/POC, and non-neurodivergent and neurodivergent.
Great article!
From my work area, I’ve noticed that the availability heuristic often prevents taking even small actions in any generation. Small Action is needed to make a huge difference.
The information they believe is often narrowed and skewed by a few people’s accumulated opinions, as it’s easily accessible, and they already get used to it. It’s touchy to argue somebody’s views if they are close in daily life. “Act for facts” is always crucial. Thanks, Magdalena, for the reminder to everybody!