Affinity bias is an unconscious bias that causes people to favor others who share similar interests, backgrounds, and experiences with them. It is a type of implicit bias, which is an automatic and unconscious attitude that can affect our judgment, decisions, or behavior. Our biases are influenced by our background, cultural environment, and personal experiences. Affinity bias can occur in various settings, including the workplace, where it can affect hiring, promotion, and other opportunities for growth. Some examples of affinity bias include:
- Assuming that a person is well-educated because they went to the same school as you.
- Preferring to work with people who share your hobbies or cultural background.
- Valuing the opinion of certain team members over others because they are more similar to you.
It is important to note that affinity bias is not always intentional, and people may not even be aware of their biased views or how they might affect others. However, it can lead to a homogenous workplace and a non-inclusive, discriminatory environment. While it is not possible to eliminate affinity bias entirely, there are ways to reduce its impact, such as taking time to get to know people better and focusing on skills and qualifications when making hiring decisions.
