Cultural Bias: Implications & Mindfulness Techniques for Awareness, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Acting

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Understanding Cultural Bias and

Building Awareness Using Mindfulness

and Acceptance

By: Kamakshi Sankar Boyle, LCSW-C

Inhale…hold…exhale

What is Cultural Bias?

Assumptions we hold about a group, based on our own cultural background, that impact our interpretation and perception of a group.

Consequences of Bias:

 Stigma – negative labeling of group, which may

generate a negative image to the public.

 Stereotype – an oversimplified assumption made about

a group. Behaviors or beliefs may be a reaction to an individual rather than entire group.

 Discrimination – a consequence of stigma and

stereotyping, the unfair labeling and treatment of others.

Examples of Stereotypes?

Positive? Negative?

Research on the impact of

stereotypes on students

 Whistling Vivaldi by Claude Steele, social psychologist,

studied how pervasive stereotypes impact student performance.

 Found even the threat of confirming a negative

stereotype would result in consistent underperformance on exams, letter grades, motivation, and concentration.

Mind/Body Connection

 When a mammal or human experiences threat

 Fight/flight/freeze, amygdala activation, adrenaline,

cortisol response

 Mind races, self doubt, less blood flow to motivation

and concentation centers of brain

 Hypervigilance, muscle, digestive, immunity responses

 Denial, Defensiveness

Mindfulness and Acceptance

Based Approaches

 Build awareness by noticing your thoughts

 Accept all humans have unintentional thoughts

 Observe thoughts without acting or judging

 Is reality or an assumption?

 Create distance or detach from thoughts

 Allow for flexibility thoughts and beliefs

 all-or-nothing middle path

What can we do?!?

 Narratives/Letters

 Affirmation paragraphs

 Communication –verbalize validation, give positive

feedback

 Encourage inter-group conversations in class

 Immerse self in other cultures

 Expose self to counter-stereotypes and diverse

images/experiences to build new associations in mind

Thank you!

Kamakshi Sankar Boyle, LCSW-C

Culturally Competent, Trauma-Informed, Mindfulness- Based Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist

Anxiety, Depression, Relationship and Family Trauma, Cross-Cultural Adjustment, and Maternal Mental Health