12.1: Bias, Stereotypes, and Decision-Making in Groups – Readings and Videos Readings

Readings

The readings and videos help learners understand how implicit biases and stereotypes influence perceptions of others and shape interactions within groups. They also demonstrate how conformity pressures and groupthink can undermine critical thinking and ethical decision-making, while highlighting strategies to encourage diverse perspectives and better group outcomes.

Reading 1

This reading examines how implicit social biases shape perceptions of individuals from out-groups, providing insight into the ways stereotypes and unconscious assumptions can affect group interactions and decision-making.

Chen, W., Kassa, M. T., & Cheung, O. S. (2023). The role of implicit social bias on holistic processing of out-group faces. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 8(1), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-023-00464-3

Reading 2

This article explores how groupthink develops through closed-mindedness and insulation from alternative viewpoints and demonstrates how structured dissent (devil’s advocacy) can improve ethical and effective group decision-making.

Akhmad, M., Chang, S., & Deguchi, H. (2021). Closed-mindedness and insulation in groupthink: Their effects and the devil’s advocacy as a preventive measure. Journal of Computational Social Science, 4(1), 455–478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42001-020-00083-8

Videos

Video 1

This TEDx talk explores how hidden biases and cognitive blind spots influence decision-making and judgment. It helps learners understand the role of implicit bias in individual and group decisions and offers strategies for improving critical thinking.

Carter, S. (2018, November). Decision making deconstructed: Understanding the role of bias [Video]. TEDxCalgary. TED. https://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_ca...e_role_of_bias

Video 2

This instructional video explains conformity, group polarization, and groupthink, highlighting how pressure for consensus can affect ethical decision-making and suppress diverse viewpoints in groups.

Walsh, J. (2014). Conformity and groupthink [Video]. Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/test-pre...and-groupthink

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