Bias Simulator
How can a simulator help people discover their hidden biases?
Themes: unconscious bias, diversity, simulators, & data science
Background
We instinctively categorize and form biases (or judgments) against groups of people based on criteria such as age, gender, race, or even their style of clothing. In the case of an unconscious bias a person may treat a group of people differently without being aware.
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Our biases influence the choices we make in our life. In some cases our biases can even effect split-second, life-or-death decisions. The question is not whether we have biases, but where do they hide?
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Simulators are computer programs that substitute an actual environment with an artificial one that mimics an aspect of real life. They can be used to observe a user's behavior under different conditions without putting a person in danger. For instance to teach people about the dangers of texting and driving, researchers can have participants use a driving simulator in a lab and test their reaction times to events on the road without a phone and while they're texting.
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One method to study hidden biases is by using a simulator that forces people to react quickly to situations. When people use their intuition (their bodies' automatic response mechanism), we get a glimpse of their unconscious mind. The data collected from simulations can then be used for research.
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Project
Work in teams to design a computer simulator that can be used to study biases in an area that impacts youth. Think about the roles different types of people (e.g. classmates, friends, teachers, relatives, coaches, etc.) play in your life and how their biases could impact you.
Your simulator should be designed to recreate scenarios that triggers a participant's automatic response to the stimuli that you present to them and collects their responses, so that the data can be analyzed across your user pool.
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Here's an example of how unconscious bias can lead to life or death decisions and how a simple simulator could be used to surface them: Policing Biases
When creating your work teams, seek out people who are different from you, so that your tool can benefit from different points of view.