Education
BLINDSPOT: HIDDEN BIASES OF GOOD PEOPLE by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald (Delacorte Press, 2013) A Review by Thérèse Antonini
‘The sailor cannot see the North – but knows the Needle can’ is an Emily Dickenson quote that opens the book Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald. Dr. Banaji and Dr. Greenwald are scientists with extensive experience in the study and research of psychology, and this book focuses on raising awareness of research that speaks to how our mind’s unconscious operation can interfere with our conscious beliefs and intentions. In the book's preface, the authors explain the use of the words ‘Good People’ in their title: ‘By ‘good people’ we refer to those, ourselves included, who intend well and strive to align their behavior with their intentions’. That definition is important as it sets the tone for the book as one of helping us understand what might be getting in the way of that alignment rather than one of presenting value judgments. The book’s content is largely based on research efforts and results that are presented in a primarily conversational voice. The concepts are foundational, and it would likely be a valuable read for someone who is unfamiliar with or has limited knowledge of the concept of unconscious or implicit bias. The tests and exercises in the book (and some links to online versions) can help us all explore our own implicit biases, and there are some interesting strategies for ‘outsmarting the machine’ and managing those biases while acknowledging that there can be significant challenges in that effort. For those who have studied unconscious bias more extensively, a lot of what is covered in the book will not be new conceptually, but
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some of the authors' perspectives and the stories they share may offer some new insights. There is also an extensive set of references shared, and they are organized by book section, so those wanting to delve deeper may find this book an excellent resource for further reading and deeper understanding. I did find the book to have an American slant to it, with conclusions and appendices specifically referring to issues regarding race in the United States. From that standpoint, it is likely a good starting point for readers interested in gaining a better understanding of the impacts of both conscious and unconscious bias in the past and how unconscious bias – even in those with a strong conscious desire to address issues of racial inequity and injustice – continues to impede progress. This book is an easy read from the perspective of language and the presentation of content. Taking the content to heart and confronting our own biases is where the challenge lies! SA International President-Elect Thérèse Antonini has been a member of eight different choruses in five Canadian provinces and one American state and has served in many leadership positions. Internationally, she serves as a Panel Secretary and has served on and chaired task forces (including, recently, the Diversity & Inclusion Task Force), committees, and on the International Board of Directors. She will serve as International President from 2022 to 2024.