Bias: Definition, Discovery, Causes, and Impact on Individuals with Autism and ADHD

Bias refers to a tendency to lean in a certain direction, either in favor of or against a particular thing, idea, group, or individual. Often, biases are unconscious, meaning they are automatic and spontaneous and can affect decisions and judgments without one realizing it.

How was bias discovered?

Bias in human behavior has likely been recognized informally throughout history, but it became a subject of systematic study in the 20th century with the rise of psychology and social sciences. Researchers like Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky were instrumental in exploring biases as a fundamental aspect of human cognition, particularly through their work on heuristic-driven bias and prospect theory in the 1970s.

Why does bias happen?

Bias occurs due to the brain’s attempt to simplify information processing. The brain uses past experiences and cues from the environment to make quick judgments. This can be helpful in some situations but can lead to systematic deviations from good judgment or rational decision-making:

• Cognitive load: The brain resorts to shortcuts to save energy.
• Information availability: Information that is more readily available or recent tends to have a disproportionate influence on our thoughts and actions.
• Emotional influences: Emotions can heavily impact decisions, leading to biased conclusions.

How it affects individuals with autism and ADHD:

• Sensory processing and bias: Individuals with autism often experience heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory stimuli, which can influence their interpretations and reactions to their environment, potentially leading to biases in perception.
• Social perception and interactions: Social biases can negatively impact individuals with autism and ADHD, who may be misunderstood by others due to their atypical social interactions. This misunderstanding can lead to prejudice or exclusion.
• Executive functioning: For those with ADHD, biases may emerge in decision-making processes where impulsivity and challenges in executive functioning lead to preferences for immediate over long-term rewards.

Bias affects everyone, but for individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism and ADHD, the impacts can be more significant, affecting social interactions, learning, and overall quality of life. Recognizing and addressing these biases is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals.