Recognising Bias

What is 'bias'?

• Something we know to be true, that we can check.

• The intentional

  emotion that a writer creates using specific features of language.

• An inclination or prejudice either for or against something.

• The emotion felt by a reader upon reading and understanding a writing.

Which word is biased?

• Humanity

• People

• Mankind

• Human beings

Which phrase is not biased?

• A class for the elderly

• A class for people aged 80 and over

• A class for old people

Which phrase is biased?

• A person with heart disease

• A person needing medical care for a heart condition

• A victim of a heart complaint

Which phrase is not biased?

• The person is blacklisted

• The person is on a blocked list

• We cannot whitelist the person

Which sentence does not contain bias?

• A priest always looks after his congregation

• A nurses is usually excellent at caring for her patients

• A journalist writes for their newspaper

• A policeman is often busy

Which phrase is biased?

• Black sheep

• Renegade

• Rebel

Many people confuse bias with preference, what is the difference between the two?

• There is no difference, bias and preference are the same.

• Bias is based on racist ideas.

• Preferences are not harmful and are based on experiences.

Which news headline contains bias?

• Troublesome Teens Terrorise Town

• Local Students Campaign for Human Rights

Which news headline contains bias?

• Conservative MP loses seat to Labour MP

• Aging white man loses parliament seat to fresh young talented law student