Checking Biases
Theresa McHenry, organizational development leader, reminds us the point is not to get us to accept we have biases but rather recognize, “those biases have negative consequences for others.” We check our biases because they interfere with authentic partnerships.
On Eliminating Behavioral Health Disparities
For decades, scientists and psychologists have labeled and measured the presence and impact of our biases. This brief video offers a working definition of bias and describes the health inequities that result from biases.
Click this link to access full content from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, 2023 Center for Prevention
Practice Pause: Biases Interrupt Support
Unaddressed biases will influence your work partnering with individuals and families. Notice how family member Krystal in the following video, explains the impact of biases on her family.
Content warning: this extended video contains topics that may be sensitive including racism, behavioral health support disparities, suicide, domestic violence, self-harm, substance use, hospitalization, and medication.
On Removing Barriers
Consider these 3 types of biases — reactive devaluation, illusion of validity, and anchoring effect — that commonly arise in behavioral health settings.
- Reactive Devaluation: when providers underestimate families’ suggestions or observations because the:
- Recommendation is perceived as oppositional
- Provider hasn’t observed what the family is reporting
- Suggestion isn’t coming from a mental health “expert“
- Illusion of Validity: when providers overestimate their ability to predict outcomes because they have:
- “Seen this kind of case before”
- Not built a trusting partnership with the family
- Made generalizations about the family
- Anchoring Effect: when providers over-rely on initial impressions of families to inform ongoing partnership efforts because:
- It’s time-consuming to get to know individual families
- Time with families is not billable and therefore not prioritized
- Getting to know and connect with families adds to the workload
Practice Pause: Building Insight to Identify Biases
Practice Pause: Reflection on Power
Gather some note-taking materials (e.g., paper/pen, file on your computer). Then, return to the scenario above that was likely shaped by power differentials that can exist on various levels. Take a few moments to reflect openly and honestly on WHY this interaction may have unfolded as it did.
- What observable social identities do you hold (e.g., physical presentation, language, etc.) that might have influenced this interaction?
- What about your role as a behavioral health provider may have influenced this interaction (i.e. how the individual and family likely regard you, etc.)?
- How could you name these factors in your work with individuals and families to facilitate sharing power?
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