The unconscious bias in virtual meetings and how to avoid it.
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Helpful tips from Michigan State University: https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2020/theres-an-unconscious-bias-in-virtual-meetings-heres-how-you-can-avoid-it/
Amy Bonomi, a social science researcher from Michigan State University, and Nelia Viveiros from University of Colorado, said that these platforms are a ripe setting for unconscious bias — or, when people act based on prejudice and stereotypes without intending to do so.
“Unconscious bias includes using language, symbolism and nonverbal cues that reinforce normative social identities with respect to gender, race, sexual preference and socioeconomic status,” Bonomi said. “For example, when the virtual background of a Zoom meeting attendee has pictures of his or her wedding, it unintentionally reinforces the idea that marriage is most fitting between opposite sexes.”
In fact, even a simple icebreaker — common for videoconferencing settings —can be a pathway for reinforcing dominant social norms and identities.
“In a recent videoconference, we were asked the ‘most fun thing you’ve done with your family during quarantine.’ Participant answers ranged from ‘gardening with my husband’ to ‘dance parties with my family,’” Viveiros said.
While these experiences are valid, Viveiros said that they can crowd out the experiences of people with minoritized social identities. For example, asking about “fun family things” prevented several Latinx attendees from sharing their experiences of losing family members to novel coronavirus.
Because you needed a snowflake alert during the pandemic.
There are other helpful tips at the site, including how to challenge microagressions, establish time boundaries and be conscious about symbolism.
You're welcome.
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So, you thinking me opening my MS Teams meeting with 'Hey, bitches' was a mistake?
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People need to react for effect.
Ice-breaker "what was your favorite pet."
Answer: burst into tears, blubber inchoherently about "shep" and then run out of the room, with the only thing showing behind your chair a picture of you and a dog.
Result: Everyone is shocked, the facilitator is mortified and ends the virtual meeting, everyone is stunned, and you get to cut the virtual connection as you start giggling hysterically while heading for the kitchen.
Thank You Coronavirus! -
@George-K said in The unconscious bias in virtual meetings and how to avoid it.:
For example, when the virtual background of a Zoom meeting attendee has pictures of his or her wedding,
Who TF does that? Unless they got married last week or something.
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I spent much of my life working with boards of directors of various organizations. I remember wishing everyone "and their loved ones" a happy holiday. I did get an email back from an asocial person indicating that not everyone had loved ones and this was thus a hurtful note.
On the other hand we all have stepped in it - said something that was truly an unintended hurt. When dealing with a reasonably mature individual, a simple apology should ease or erase the harm. Avoiding all harm is not feasible.If you want to avoid causing pain, refrain from asking questions.
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What about the conscious bias that people have of barking dogs, background noises, crappy audio or visual? Is that okay?
Lots of real stuff to be hurt about.How about people who insist on video when audio will suffice?
These are early days for zoom, teams, Skype, web-ex, house party et al.
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@George-K said in The unconscious bias in virtual meetings and how to avoid it.:
“For example, when the virtual background of a Zoom meeting attendee has pictures of his or her wedding, it unintentionally reinforces the idea that marriage is most fitting between opposite sexes.”
In the background of a Zoom meeting, had he just use a picture of a massive orgy with many sexes, including transgenders, many skin colors and skin tones, a few amputees, small people, obese people, broad based representation from the barely legal to the nonagenarian, from the atheist to the Catholic priest ... that would be very inclusive and not at all biased or triggering, thus totally appropriate.
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@Axtremus said in The unconscious bias in virtual meetings and how to avoid it.:
@George-K said in The unconscious bias in virtual meetings and how to avoid it.:
“For example, when the virtual background of a Zoom meeting attendee has pictures of his or her wedding, it unintentionally reinforces the idea that marriage is most fitting between opposite sexes.”
In the background of a Zoom meeting, had he just use a picture of a massive orgy with many sexes, including transgenders, many skin colors and skin tones, a few amputees, small people, obese people, broad based representation from the barely legal to the nonagenarian, from the atheist to the Catholic priest ... that would be very inclusive and not at all biased or triggering, thus totally appropriate.
You've just given me a fantastic quitting idea.
