We often talk about the costs of bias and rightly so. Biases, those inflexible beliefs we hold about particular categories of people, interfere with our ability to see individuals clearly. That alone is damaging.
But there’s another, less visible, cost – it’s called the “stereotype threat.”
Coined by Stanford researcher Claude Steele, “stereotype threat” refers to the pressure felt by individuals who are the target of a bias. It’s the fear that they might, through their own actions or words, confirm the very inflexible beliefs others hold about their group.
Take, for example, the persistent stereotype of the “angry Black man.” That bias can lead a Black man to hesitate before expressing a strong opinion—not because he lacks conviction, but because he’s trying to avoid being seen through a biased lens.
Or consider the white male executive who genuinely supports diversity and inclusion yet feels cautious about offering even the mildest critique of a given I&D strategy. He may fear that speaking up could reinforce the bias that white men are resistant to DEI.
These are examples of a mental self-censorship born not from insecurity, but from the awareness of how others might interpret their action through the fog of bias.
The result? Less authenticity. Less trust. Less progress.
Can you recall a time when you hesitated to express a view due to fear of the “stereotype threat”?
The material in this post reflects the ideas expressed in Dr. Thiederman’s book 3 Keys to Defeating Unconscious Bias and in the training videos Defeating Unconscious Bias: 5 Strategies and Gateways to Inclusion: Turning Tense Moments into Productive Conversations.
Sondra Thiederman can be contacted for virtual facilitation, and panel participation by clicking here or calling 619-992-3766. For additional information, go to this link to learn more about what Dr. Thiederman has to offer.
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