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3.3
Awareness of Context, Bias, & Assumptions
Submitted by Lori Britt
This activity will help participants to identify their own assumptions about an issue and put those assumptions in plain view of others during a discussion. This activity will demonstrate how these judgments affect how we communicate with others.
Learning Goals
Encourage honest introspection about one’s beliefs, values, and biases.
Learn how to use the knowledge of biases and assumptions in a positive way.
Instructions
Set Up: Prepare for the Activity
Provide sheets of paper, colored markers, and tape.
Organize participants into small groups (4-6 ppl).
Begin by introducing the learning goals of this activity.
Step One: Individually Reflect on Biases & Assumptions (5 min)
Give each small group a controversial topic to discuss. For example:
The government should provide universal basic income to all citizens.
Before engaging in discussion, ask each participant to write down any preconceived ideas, biases, or pre-formed opinions about the topic on a large piece of paper.
Ask participants to tape the piece of paper to the front of their desk.
Step Two: Suspend Biases & Assumptions (15 min)
Participants are now, literally, “suspending” their assumptions about the topic. Take a few moments to allow the groups to review the assumptions in front of them.
Model how to constructively ask for clarification about any assumptions:
What do you mean by this?
Where does this assumption come from?
Can you give me an example or context for this?
Instruct participants not to criticize or debate the value of the assumptions.
Step Three: Engage in Small Group Discussion (20 min)
Ask participants to discuss the prompt in small groups. Encourage them to explore various dimensions or elements of the prompt and examine it from multiple angles or perspectives.
Invite participants to revise their assumptions as the discussion progresses. Invite discussants to constructively point out assumptions and biases as the discussion continues.
Step Four: Debrief as a Full Group (10 min)
Discuss:
What impact, if any, did “suspending” your assumptions have on your own contributions to the discussion?
How did knowing the assumptions of others affect your own communication in the group?
Did you communicate differently with any individual because of their assumptions? Because of your assumptions?
TIME
50
min
MODULE
Critical Collaboration
This activity is more involved or complicated than a beginner activity. This activity is for groups that have established trust or experience with discussion.
This activity is best implemented with in-person learning groups, requiring hands-on techniques that may not be easily replicated online.
This activity is focused on developing or supporting listening skills. See Sample Listening Certificate Program Design to illustrate sample sequencing.
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0 Comments
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:58:08 AM
Activity 4.8 provides useful phrases and techniques, as well as helps participants develop their own, to join in during discussions and express their views according to the goals they choose for themselves on what they want to offer to the discussion and how they want to be perceived.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:52:48 AM
Activity 4.7 uses a tactile and fun method, like a bag of beans, to have participants experience what it is like to have different amounts of power in a conversation. This activity also highlights how we base our ideas of how power is distributed on stereotypes.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:48:29 AM
Activity 4.6 employs useful tools like the Question Chart to help participants learn how to craft "good questions" that move beyond any assumptions they have about the views of others based on stereotypes or third party descriptions, and unearth their true views on the issue.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:45:08 AM
Activity 4.5 uses visual aids like the Emotion Wheel to push participants to move beyond just cognitive empathy and shows how to reflect back the emotions and understand their source through dialogue. It also helps participants differentiate between messages of intentional empathy and problem-solving.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:39:46 AM
Activity 4.4 uses both individual written reflection and discussion in small and large groups to explore the which aspects of a person's identity we use to determine if they should be included in the conversation on a particular issue. This activity also give participants to practice explaining and negotiating who is chosen.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:33:37 AM
Activity 4.3 uses physical movement and both lighthearted and serious topics to help participants see how positions on different topics lie on a continuum and how positions can change as one is exposed to new information or perspectives. Participants also flex their imaginative and creative muscle by arguing for the position opposite to theirs.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:28:28 AM
Activity 4.2 breaks down the individual aspects of active listening into separate rounds/steps to help participants consciously and methodically learn and practice this skill.
YD
December 3, 2022 at 1:25:28 AM
Activity 4.1digs deep into the many facets of social identity, by using drawing, as well as both written silent reflection and verbal discussion in small and large groups.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:26:51 AM
Activity 3.8 easily helps visualize the many dimensions of a topic by using the fishbone diagram.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:24:44 AM
Activity 3.7 provides useful mind tricks to help practice patience and giving people the benefit of the doubt, thus creating the sense of psychological safety required in collaborative efforts.