Bias itself is a natural phenomenon. We all see the world from our own perspectives. We all have biases of many kinds, but an overly strong bias can inhibit our ability to view a situation objectively and with neutrality.

 

Tips For Identifying Bias

1. Selection and Omission: Within a given account of a situation, some details may be ignored while others of equal value may be included. Bias through omission is difficult to detect and requires numerous sources in order to reveal it.

2. Labels and Expressions: We often use labels and titles to describe people, places, and events. In a labour dispute, the term scab or replacement worker can each reveal a bias.

3. Manipulation of Statistics: To support a position on an issue, numbers can be altered or exaggerated. “Thousands out of work” can numerically be the same as “only a few plants shut down.” Each expresses a different bias.

4. Considering the Source: To detect bias, one should consider the source of the information and the source’s connection to the issue. For example, in the event of a war, is the information supplied by a reporter, military personnel from the side that is more or less equipped, the leader of the country being attacked, the United Nations, the stockholder of a munitions manufacturer, or an outsider who has no connection to the story? What is the motivation or reason why the source might have a certain opinion?

5. Word Choice and Tone: The use of positive or negative words or words with a particular connotation can strongly influence how we view an issue. “Shut down” plants can be the same as “idled” plants. Another example of this is when company’s, “right-size”. This often means employees will be, “cut” .

6. Generalization and Oversimplification: Intricate and complex facts sometimes become simplified or generalized into more manageable bits of information. Identifying simplifications and generalizations can reveal biases.[1]

Bias in Images