What is the Difference Between Implicit and Explicit Bias? Uncover the Truth

Bias is everywhere, and sometimes, it sneaks up on us in ways we don’t even realize. Have you ever made a judgment about someone or something without even thinking about it? Or perhaps you’ve been conscious of a bias and knew it was wrong but couldn’t shake it? These are the workings of implicit and explicit bias, two psychological concepts that are crucial to understanding how we form opinions and make decisions. Let’s break down the difference between implicit and explicit bias, so you can better understand them—and maybe even start identifying your own biases.

What is Implicit Bias?

Implicit bias refers to the unconscious attitudes or stereotypes we have about other people based on factors like race, gender, or age. These biases are automatic and often operate outside of our awareness, which means we’re not always aware that they influence our actions and decisions.

How Implicit Bias Influences Us

It’s a bit unsettling when you realize how much implicit bias can affect daily life. For example, I remember having a conversation with my colleague Sarah, who works in HR. She once admitted that she was surprised to learn how much implicit bias plays a role in hiring decisions, even when people try to be fair. Sarah shared that studies have shown that resumes with “white-sounding” names tend to get more callbacks than resumes with “Black-sounding” names—without any reason other than implicit bias.

These biases aren't based on any real evidence; they're just knee-jerk reactions we don’t consciously control. Even though we may genuinely believe in equality, our unconscious bias might still affect our decisions. Think about the times you might have assumed something about someone simply based on their appearance—it’s a product of implicit bias.

What is Explicit Bias?

On the other hand, explicit bias is something we are fully aware of. It's the attitude or belief we consciously hold toward a person or group. Explicit bias involves intentional actions based on these beliefs, and they’re easy to recognize because they come from our own thoughts and feelings.

Explicit Bias in Everyday Life

I remember a debate I had with my friend Mark about a news story. We were discussing political parties, and it quickly became clear that we both had very strong, explicit biases. Mark was very vocal about his dislike for a certain party, and I couldn’t help but express my own bias against another. Unlike implicit bias, explicit bias is something you’re conscious of and can control—well, theoretically, you can.

Explicit biases can often be seen in how we treat people based on their identities, whether it's racial, gender-based, or even political. These biases are sometimes harder to change because they’re part of our belief system and how we view the world.

Key Differences Between Implicit and Explicit Bias

1. Awareness

The most glaring difference between implicit and explicit bias is awareness. Implicit bias operates beneath the surface of our consciousness, while explicit bias is fully conscious. You may not realize that you're acting on implicit bias, but you definitely know when you’re acting on explicit bias.

2. Control

Another key difference is control. You can often challenge and change explicit biases because you’re aware of them. Implicit bias, however, requires more intentional work to address, as it operates automatically and unconsciously. To reduce implicit bias, it takes time and conscious effort to rethink patterns of thought that you’ve developed over years.

3. Impact on Behavior

Implicit biases tend to affect behavior in subtle ways—like when you subconsciously avoid sitting next to a person of a different race without even thinking about it. Explicit biases, however, are more likely to lead to overt actions or statements that reflect your prejudices. It’s more clear-cut when someone with explicit bias makes a discriminatory statement, for example, compared to someone whose implicit bias shows in their body language or decisions without a word being spoken.

How to Recognize and Address Both Types of Bias

1. Self-Reflection

To tackle both implicit and explicit biases, the first step is recognizing them. And let me tell you, this can be challenging. We don’t always want to admit we have biases, especially implicit ones. But self-reflection is key. Ask yourself—how do I feel about certain groups of people? Do I act differently toward them? This might not always lead to pleasant answers, but it’s necessary for growth.

2. Take Implicit Association Tests

If you’re unsure whether you have implicit biases, there are tools like the Implicit Association Test (IAT) offered by Harvard University. I tried the IAT once, and I was shocked by some of the results. It revealed biases I didn’t realize I had. While it’s not a cure-all, it helps raise awareness about biases we don’t actively control.

3. Open Conversations and Education

The more we talk openly about bias—both implicit and explicit—the better we can address it. For instance, my friend Lisa, a teacher, often leads discussions about bias in her class. She has told me that it’s incredible to watch students start to identify and challenge their own biases after these conversations. It’s important to be open to feedback and, when necessary, to apologize for actions that may have hurt others due to bias.

Conclusion: Embracing Change and Growth

Now that you know the difference between implicit and explicit bias, it’s time to act. It’s a lifelong process, and none of us is immune from biases. The key is to stay aware, challenge our assumptions, and take steps to make sure we’re not acting on biases—conscious or unconscious. It’s tough, sure, but taking responsibility for our biases and actively working to reduce them is the first step toward creating a more fair and equitable world.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.