diff --git a/building-web-apps-together/05-respect.md b/building-web-apps-together/05-respect.md index 290c0b5..6e15ea3 100644 --- a/building-web-apps-together/05-respect.md +++ b/building-web-apps-together/05-respect.md @@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ This will be the shortest chapter of the series, but is likely the most importan ## Unconscious Bias -In the 1970's the typical orchestra was comprised of of over 90% male musicians. Today orchestras are more likely made up of one third female musicians, with likelihood that a woman musician will be selected increasing by 30-60%. What changed to spur this increase in female classical musicians? It was the introduction of blind auditions. Today's selection process has musicians audition without being seen by the judging committee. Early on, this was proven to require further modification as women began removing their shoes, so that judges would not hear the tell-tale sound the shoes made when the musician approached the chair. This is an example of unconscious bias. The judges largely assumed, presumably without intention or awareness of their preference, that men were better musicians. When the chance for this bias was removed, more women were selected. +In the 1970's the typical orchestra was comprised of over 90% male musicians. Today orchestras are more likely made up of one third female musicians, with likelihood that a woman musician will be selected increasing by 30-60%. What changed to spur this increase in female classical musicians? It was the introduction of blind auditions. Today's selection process has musicians audition without being seen by the judging committee. Early on, this was proven to require further modification as women began removing their shoes, so that judges would not hear the tell-tale sound the shoes made when the musician approached the chair. This is an example of unconscious bias. The judges largely assumed, presumably without intention or awareness of their preference, that men were better musicians. When the chance for this bias was removed, more women were selected. Unconscious biases are stereotypes that we hold without being explicitly aware of them. They are often the result of quick judgements, which are "a feature of evolution," according to Harvard psychology professor [Mahzarin Banaji](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/opinion/nicholas-kristof-our-biased-brains.html). For early humans it was useful to quickly categorize things, such as predators or potential threats. Today, we retain this skill, and while in many life situations bias serves as a decision making shortcut, it can also have unintended negative consequences, particularly when it applies to how we think about other people.