Beyond Implicit Bias: Embodied Cognition, Mindfulness, and Critical Reflective Practice in Social Work
Australian Social Work February 10, 2021 Yuk-Lin Renita Wong, Jana Vinsky 22 citations
Implicit bias is not confined to the brain but arises from a dynamic system involving the living body and its social, cultural, and historical context, according to the embodied cognition paradigm. This perspective offers more relevant insights for social work than traditional psychology and cognitive science, which focus on the individual self or brain. Mindfulness combined with critical reflective practice can help catch and process the visceral moment of bias and interrupt its effect. Effective intervention strategies must be multi-faceted, targeting both professional training in embodied self-awareness and broader organizational and institutional changes to address the cultural and social environment that shapes bias.