ABSTRACT

Implicit bias studies in psychology and cognitive science focus primarily on the individual self, and more recently on the brain. In this article, we argue that the embodied cognition paradigm, which encompasses both the functional body and the environment, can provide more relevant insights for social work. Implicit bias is not just in the brain. It is in the dynamic systems process of a living body that constitutes, and is constituted by, the social, cultural and historical conditions. We explore the potential of mindfulness combined with critical reflective practice in catching and processing the visceral moment of bias and in interrupting its effect. We underline the importance of including interventions that target the environment—the cultural and social context—which constitutes the other aspect of embodied cognition. We argue for the development of integrated and multi-faceted intervention strategies to address implicit bias that include professional training in embodied self-awareness as well as organisational and institutional changes.

• IMPLICATIONS

• The embodied cognition paradigm that integrates the body and the environment offers a wider lens to address implicit bias than the current dominant psychological and biological focused approach.

• Teaching body awareness combined with critical reflective practice can enhance anti-oppressive and critical social work practice.

• Intervention strategies to interrupt the impact of implicit bias must be multi-faceted to include the whole dynamic body system and the organisational and cultural contexts.

摘要

心理学和认知科学中的内隐偏见研究主要集中于个人自身，最近集中于大脑。在本文中，我们认为包含功能主体和环境的内嵌认知范式可以为社会工作提供更多相关的见解。内隐偏见不仅仅存在于大脑中。它是由生命体的动态系统过程构成的，并由其社会，文化和历史条件构成。我们探索正念与批判反思实践相结合的潜力，以捕捉和处理内脏偏见并打断其影响。我们强调了包括针对环境（文化和社会环境）的干预措施的重要性，这些干预措施构成了体现性认知的另一方面。

• 含意

• 与目前的主流心理和生物学重点研究方法相比，将身体与环境融合在一起的内在认知范式为解决隐性偏见提供了更广阔的视角。

• 教学身体意识与批判性反思练习相结合可以增强反压迫性和批判性社会工作实践。

• 干预策略可以消除内在偏见的影响，必须是多方面的，以包括整个动态的身体系统以及组织和文化环境。