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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.
Tell us what you think. Rate and review this activity:
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Share them in the comments below!
0 Comments
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:21:35 AM
Activity 3.6 in an innovative activity that encourages detailed thinking about and evaluation of proposed solutions by thinking of not just the intended, but also unintended consequences.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:15:22 AM
Activity 3.5 uses visual aids and worksheets to explore a topic in detail from multiple angles. Pretending you are an alien to look at an issue from new perspectives is fun!
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:11:26 AM
Activity 3.4 uses detailed prompts and twists to encourage participants to move beyond binary thinking, which allows to them to recognize the grey areas of decision-making.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:07:44 AM
Activity 3.3 uses visual methods to uncover assumptions and biases, as well as help practice "suspending" these assumptions during a discussion.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 6:05:57 AM
Activity 3.2 uses visual cues to easily bring awareness to the emotions of participants in a discussion and help them understand the changing flow and impact of emotions in a discussion..
YD
November 29, 2022 at 5:59:34 AM
Activity 3.1 offers a very detailed step-by-step process to evaluate your thinking in real time while discussing an issue.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 2:20:17 AM
Activity 2.8 is a fun and engaging activity that helps develop a positive, hopeful and empowering way of thinking by using an innovative method to break free of constraints on imagination and recognize the potential that exists in the present situation, which could lead to the ideal future or solution. It also offers a method to imagine the actionable steps on a pathway from the present to that future.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 2:13:29 AM
Activity 2.7 uses metaphors to explore the place of imagination and humor in exploring difficult or unfamiliar topics.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 2:10:50 AM
Activity 2.6 is another fun activity that encourages flexible thinking and a method of communication built on validation and respect, resulting in an environment of collaboration.
YD
November 29, 2022 at 2:02:30 AM
Activity 2.5 is fun activity that helps you let loose and unleash your playful side to help demonstrate how play is very useful to broadening perspectives.