Systemic Problems Require Systemic Solutions: How Regional Variation in Implicit Bias Can Inform Public Policy

Abstract

Traditional psychological approaches to reduce discrimination typically focus on addressing the biases of people. This paper recommends policies aimed at changing the environments that activate and perpetuate biases as a necessary companion to interventions aimed at educating individuals. This reasoning is grounded in the Bias of Crowds model, a theoretical approach to implicit bias that emphasizes how situations or environments can make negative or stereotypical concepts linked to social groups more accessible and, thus, facilitate discrimination. The empirical evidence for the Bias of Crowds model suggests policy recommendations which include actively counteracting historical disparities, shaping social narratives, and changing physical environments.