Illinois State Police (ISP) Practice Exam

The term that describes subconscious attitudes affecting our decisions is implicit bias. Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that unconsciously influence our understanding, actions, and decisions. These biases might be formed through individual experiences, cultural influences, or societal messages and can affect how people perceive and treat others, often without their awareness.

Understanding implicit bias is essential, especially in contexts such as law enforcement and community interactions, as it highlights the need for self-awareness and training to mitigate unintended discrimination or favoritism. This concept underscores the idea that our judgments can be influenced by factors outside of our conscious awareness, leading to disparities in decision-making and behavior.

Other terms, such as explicit bias, refer to attitudes that individuals are consciously aware of and can openly express. Conscious bias implies a deliberate bias that is actively considered in decision-making, and systematic bias suggests a consistent and systemic pattern of bias but does not specifically address the subconscious aspect that implicit bias does.