Shruti Patel
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Joshua Pasek
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Communication and Media / LSA
Program: UROP
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Authors: Shruti Patel, Joshua Pasek
Abstract
Misconceptions and biases play a large role in the way people perceive situations. My research project has decided to depict the manner in which misconceptions are formed and placed upon different situations. Further, we have investigated if there are practical ways to eliminate these biases. This is an important step, as it acknowledges the fact that many people try to eliminate the misconceptions that they have internalized throughout their life. This study has combed through hundreds of research papers and compared the analysis of the formation of misconceptions. In the same manner, we have utilized research papers to analyze the competency of bias training and other methods as a means to eliminate bias. Currently, we are finding that most types of bias training do little to nothing to eliminate biases in a long term sense. My presentation is part one of two that will discuss the findings of our research project. My presentation will outline different ineffective bias training programs. I will also discuss the reasons why these training sessions were not effective. Further, I will give insight on the types of actions that can be taken in the future to help the effectiveness of bias training. The findings we have received from the lack of change from implicit bias training has led us to conclude that many misconceptions can only be eliminated if a person is willing to change. In this manner, this implies that any training is only as effective as the person who is receiving the training.
