Portrait Self-Image

Unconscious bias

Stereotypes are simplified pictures of people which determine a person's perception. They are based on preconceived ideas and patterns which are no longer questioned in everyday life. Research would suggest that stereotypes, on the one hand, have the function of reducing insecurity and providing orientation in a complex, changing world. On the other hand, it is pointed out that they take characteristics of people and groups as being fixated and thus reproduce dominant social/cultural judgments associated with privileges and discrimination.

Gender bias

Actions can trigger what is referred to as a bias due to reverting to stereotypes. Gender bias can be the result of differences in gender not being taken sufficiently into consideration. This effect can negatively impact knowledge and perception by transporting negative and positive judgments. This can, for example, mean that a CV is evaluated differently depending on whether it is from a man or woman. This in turn influences whether a person progresses in an application procedure.

Find various hands-on ways of dealing with stereotypes below. These can be used by members of the university and by third parties.