Unconscious bias occurs when we make spontaneous judgments about people or situations based on past experiences, culture, background, or exposure to media. It often manifests itself as an impression or gut feeling that shapes perception, often in ways that are hard to articulate. These hidden preferences or prejudices can affect nearly every decision we make. Findings from current research on unconscious bias and microaggressions will be presented and discussed. Participants will learn that mitigating the impact of unconscious bias is a relatively simple matter of raising awareness and developing a more mindful approach at key decision-making times.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how to mitigate the impact of unconscious bias.
2. Hear the latest research on how implicit associations can impact decision-making.
3. Learn best practices to minimize unconscious bias in their decision-making processes.
4. Identify the real-world effects of unconscious bias and micro-aggressions.
5. Be able to identify who is susceptible to harboring unconscious bias.
6. Recognize their ethical responsibility as psychologists: (a) to mitigate their own unconscious bias; (b) to raise awareness of unconscious bias in work-related activities; and (c) to mitigate bias with their clients and others with whom they work.
Intended Audience:
This session is intended for a general audience at a post-graduate level; no specific content knowledge is required.
Continuing Education (CE) Credits:
This workshop is approved by SIOP and APA to grant 3 CE credit hours (including Ethics requirement) - no partial credit is allowed. In order to obtain the CE credits, attendees must:
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Sign in prior to the workshop and sign out afterwards.
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Be present for the full 3-hour workshop period.
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SIOP will email CE certificates 3-4 weeks after workshop.
Note: These are SIOP/APA policies and no exceptions are allowed.
Presenters:
Maurice Middleton is the Senior Director and EO/AA Compliance Officer for the Office of Equity and Inclusion at Emory University, Maurice provides leadership for issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion, EO/AA Compliance, EEO Investigations, and Title IX education for faculty and staff at Emory University. He monitors the university-wide compliance on these issues and recommends corrective measures to ensure compliance.
Maurice has over 15 years of Human Resources, Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”), Diversity, and Leadership Development experience in both the higher education and healthcare industries. He is certified through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and the Association of Title IX Administrators (“ATIXA”) as an EEO and Civil Rights Investigator. He provides leadership for issues related to equity and inclusion, EO/AA Investigations and Affirmative Action Guidelines. He serves as Co-chair for the Office of the Provost’s Division Committee on Community and Diversity (“DCCD”). In this role participates in the development of divisional initiatives on Diversity.
Maurice collaborates with Emory’s Office of General Counsel and other leadership on all issues related to equity and inclusion. He earned his B.A. in Behavioral Science from Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL and is currently completing his Jurist Master from Emory University School of Law.
Nancy Gourash Bliwise is the Vice Provost for Academic Planning at Emory University. She guides faculty and staff on the development of new academic programs, ensures university-wide accreditation compliance, and leads institutional research and data governance efforts. She leads the development and implementation of processes that enable effective curriculum and program planning, development, review, and approval. She also works with faculty, deans, and administrators to ensure that new and continuing programs align with institutional goals, budget and planning guidance, accreditation compliance, and Emory University's strategic plan.
Prior to her current role, Nancy worked with senior staff in the Office of Planning and Budgeting to provide data for federal agencies, accrediting bodies, and college guidebook publishers; enhance the rigor and effectiveness of assessment processes; and ensure university-wide compliance with the Principles of Accreditation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). She has more than 20 years of experience with regional accreditation. As a psychology professor, Nancy taught positive psychology as well as statistics and research methods, receiving honors for both teaching and service at Emory. Her research focuses on attachment theory and its applications in clinical practice and interpersonal relationships throughout adulthood. Nancy serves as a facilitator in the Emory University training program on Unconscious Bias.
Nancy holds a BA from Cleveland State University and PhD from the University of Chicago. She completed her postdoctoral training at the University of California, San Francisco.
Use of Photographic Images:
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