Implicit Bias: Tools for Self-Development

Description: The ever-growing diversity of the Church and our world continues to enrich and challenge pastoral ministers in new ways. Implicit bias, or the attitudes and stereotypes that affect our behavior in an unconscious manner, can impact our ability to successfully manage intercultural interactions and diverse ministry environments. Understanding the implicit biases we hold and how personal identity and cultural experiences impact our worldview can facilitate personal growth and development as an effective pastoral leader.

Crystal Taylor-Dietz, Psy.D., explores the impact of identity and experience on implicit bias and offers skills for improving how we relate to others.

Learning Outcomes Participants will:

1. Learn the difference between implicit and explicit biases and how they manifest on individual and societal levels;
2. Explore how personal identity and cultural experience impact the development of implicit bias; and
3. Increase personal self-awareness about implicit bias and its potential impact on effective pastoral ministry.

Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below:

1. What are the different aspects of my identity that inform my worldview and the way I interact with and think about people who are different than me?
2. Have I ever noticed myself thinking/behaving in a way that made me uncomfortable when interacting with a person or a group of people that I feel are different than me?  
3. Do I believe I hold implicit biases that can be harmful to others?