Biased

Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do

By: Jennifer L. Eberhardt PhD

Narrated by: Jennifer L. Eberhardt PhD

"Poignant...important and illuminating." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Groundbreaking." (Bryan Stevenson, New York Times best-selling author of Just Mercy)

From one of the world’s leading experts on unconscious racial bias come stories, science, and strategies to address one of the central controversies of our time.

How do we talk about bias? How do we address racial disparities and inequities? What role do our institutions play in creating, maintaining, and magnifying those inequities? What role do we play? With a perspective that is at once scientific, investigative, and informed by personal experience, Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt offers us the language and courage we need to face one of the biggest and most troubling issues of our time. She exposes racial bias at all levels of society - in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and criminal justice system. Yet she also offers us tools to address it. Eberhardt shows us how we can be vulnerable to bias but not doomed to live under its grip. Racial bias is a problem that we all have a role to play in solving.

©2019 Jennifer L. Eberhardt (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Winner of the Williams James Book Award from the American Psychological Association

Winner of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Book Prize

Nonfiction Runner-Up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize

"A fascinating new book... [Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt is] a genius." (Trevor Noah, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah)

"Powerful...useful for those new to the topic as well as those well-versed in the topic...Eberhardt abandons the jargon-speak of academic research and speaks to the reader’s head, heart, and soul...[and] will make you think about the news, your neighborhood, your work place and yourself with fresh eyes." (Forbes)

"An immensely informative and insightful analysis of race-based stereotypes. [Eberhardt] also offers practical suggestions for managing mechanisms of prejudice that 'are rooted in the structures of our brains'." (Psychology Today)

Be sure that you are objective, not subjective!

Open your eyes, clear your mind, and observe the world as it shows not as you think it shows.

A current discussion, backed with facts, experiments, and reality.

Evocative

Refreshing perspective. Wished there were workbook exercises on implicit bias training included for group work.

Will change how you see the world

The data is undeniable. Unconscious bias is everywhere, and negatively impacts innocent people every day. Sometimes this affects the jobs people can get. The homes they can buy. The education they receive. Their safety. People of color deal with this every single day. As a white woman, I have experienced bias. We probably all have at some point in our lives. But not every day. Not to the point that I think of changing my name in order to be considered for a job. Not to the point of having to deal with teachers who expect me to be a troublemaker in school. And certainly not to the point that I fear for my life when being pulled over for a routine traffic stop. This data is so powerful. My only criticism of this book is I wanted to learn more ideas for how to help. But that's on me - on all of us. We know we can do better. We have to. Thank you for this important book, Dr. Eberhard.

Nice mix of stories and data

I couldn’t put this book down. It’s a great combination of stories and studies on implicit bias.

So insightful!

What an amazing perspective that we often overlook about ourselves as humans. Dr. Eberhardt does a great job immersing you into another’s experience. My heart could feel a black mother’s pain in the story of Terrance Fletcher, I could feel the frustration of those who pioneered in the Civil Rights movement and relate to the confusion and misunderstanding a white person who wants to do better, but missed the cues. Understanding Implicit Bias is a tool for us to reflect on our differences and how they can affect us negatively. It is our blind spot and we are all subject to it. It encourages me to see that my bias is always there in some way, but it is not who I am, just as it is not who the other person is. I hope this is an encouragement for those to find ways to engage with those who are different from them without any expectations or judgement.

Read/Listen

A very thorough examination of bias. The personal accounts, coupled with extensive research data, make the book amazing!

A must read for every human being

Fantastic explanation of bias and it’s effects on society. A must read for everyone that cares about people and our choices.

A book to guide our tiles

This book provides me with reference material I need to do a better job understanding my own bias. I can better question those subconscious biases that are part of my day-to-say life. Outstanding!

Getting Real

A hard topic. Much needed information. Great mix of personal experiences and scientific research. An easy read for all.

Thought Provoking!

Being from Oakland, it was interesting to hear the training that Oakland PD went through on being aware of their unconscious bias.