What is meant by bias 

Bias is when someone forms an opinion about a person or situation without considering all the facts. This can be based on limited details rather than the full picture.

Prejudicial bias involves judging people based on characteristics such as: Age; Appearance; Disability; Ethnicity; Gender; Income background; Nationality; Political views; Religion; Sexuality; or Social class.

Discrimination where people are treated differently based on these factors is generally illegal in the UK. However, biases are often subtle and difficult to prove. Even when they don’t result in outright discrimination, they can still disadvantage certain groups - for example, by designing services or products for one user group which disadvantages another.

We might also have cognitive biases, which stem from the brain’s shortcuts in processing information. Examples include:

• Anchoring bias: Giving too much importance to the first piece of information received.
• Attribution bias: Making assumptions about why someone behaves in a certain way without enough information.
• Confirmation bias: Seeking information that supports our existing beliefs while ignoring opposing facts.
• Framing bias: Oversimplifying complex events to fit a particular narrative.
• Halo effect: Seeing only the good in someone because of a positive first impression.
• Horn effect: Focusing on the negatives in someone because of a bad first impression.
• Loss aversion: Fearing loss more than valuing gain, leading to risk avoidance.

Self-esteem effect: Taking credit for successes but blaming others for failures.

Why it is important to recognise biases when listening

Recognising biases helps people listen more openly and fairly because:

• It helps you stay open-minded: If you are aware of bias, you can challenge unfair thoughts and consider different views.
• It prevents misunderstandings: Recognising bias helps you avoid making wrong assumptions about people or ideas.
• It leads to better decisions: When you notice bias, you can make choices based on facts rather than personal opinions.
• It improves relationships: Listening without bias makes conversations more respectful and productive.

The key is to be aware of when bias is stopping you from listening and understanding others.

How to recognise biases when listening

Identifying bias takes practice, but there are some simple ways to do it:

• Pause before reacting: If something makes you feel strongly, take a moment to think about why. Are you reacting based on facts or personal feelings?
• Ask yourself questions: Consider if you are only listening to ideas you agree with. Try asking, “What other viewpoints exist?”
• Listen to a variety of people: Hearing different opinions can help you recognise your own biases and think more broadly.
• Notice emotional language: If a speaker uses very strong or one-sided language, they might be biased. Pay attention to how they present information.
• Check the facts: If someone makes a claim, see if there is evidence to support it. Bias often appears when opinions are mistaken for facts.
• Be open to changing your mind: If new information challenges your beliefs, be willing to think again.

By practising these steps, you can become a better listener and understand conversations more fairly and clearly.