What distinguishes explicit bias from implicit bias?

The distinction between explicit bias and implicit bias primarily lies in awareness and consciousness. Explicit bias refers to attitudes or beliefs that individuals are consciously aware of and can intentionally articulate. This means that when someone has an explicit bias, they are aware of their preferences or prejudices and can express them openly.

On the other hand, implicit bias operates at an unconscious level, which means that individuals may not be aware of these biases affecting their thoughts or actions. Implicit biases are often automatic and can influence behavior without intentional control or awareness.

Understanding this difference is crucial in fields such as corrections and criminal justice, where awareness of one’s biases can directly affect interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds, decision-making processes, and overall fairness in the system. Recognizing explicit biases can lead to conscious efforts to address and change those beliefs, while acknowledging implicit biases can encourage strategies to mitigate their effects in practice.