This paper will examine the role that bias, power, and privilege have in the work we do in human services. You will examine your own areas of bias, power, and privilege, as well as ways you can address these in your work as a human services professional.
Prior to beginning work on this assignment,
Review the 2019 Privilege Power Wheel Poster.
An accessible version can be found here: 2019 Privilege Power Wheel Poster: Accessible Version.
Read Chapter 8 in the textbook.
Read The Pedagogy of Discomfort: Enhancing Reflectivity on Stereotypes and Bias.
Take two Implicit Association Tests (IATs) of your choice from Harvard University’s Project Implicit.
On the first page, select “I wish to proceed,” then select and take two IATs.
Be sure to note your results from each test.
Consider downloading and using the Week 2: Bias and Privilege template to complete your assignment.
In your paper,
Identify the two IATs you took.
Discuss the results of your implicit bias tests.
Include whether you agree or disagree, why you got the results you did, and what factors might have influenced your results (e.g., messages from media, the area where you grew up).
Explain how not being aware of our own biases can impact the work you do in human services professions, keeping in mind that, as humans, we all have biases.
Propose at least two ways you can avoid this impact.
Identify at least one way you have power and privilege and at least one way you do not.
Analyze how areas of power and privilege can impact the work you do with clients in human services professions.
Identify at least two ways in which you can address power and privilege with your clients.
Reflect on your thoughts and feelings about this assignment, its content, and what you have learned.
Accessibility Statement: If you have a disability that impacts your ability to successfully take the Implicit Association Tests (IATs) or any other course activity, please provide your instructor with your Authorized Accommodation form from the Office of Student Access and Wellness so that they can discuss and arrange an alternative plan with you.
The Bias and Privilege paper
