Ethical Principles in Behavior Health: Implicit Bias

Course overview

Implicit bias occurs in behavioral health care when professionals have attitudes toward people or associate stereotypes with them without conscious knowledge. Emerging research shows that it is prevalent among service providers. Although such bias occurs automatically and unintentionally, it adversely impacts judgments, decisions, and behaviors. The negative or stigmatizing attitudes toward population groups may be activated during practitioner-client encounters, and the disparities that occur must be addressed and mitigated. This course will increase professionals' knowledge of implicit bias, its harmful consequences, and how it can be mitigated.