The Self-Improvement Studio

We all have unconscious biases that can cloud our judgment. This simple worksheet guides you through making any decision by considering multiple perspectives, to reduce bias blindspots.

Instructions:

1. Briefly summarize the decision you are trying to make.
2. Identify hidden assumptions, alternatives, and outside inputs.
3. Evaluate from a balanced, unbiased perspective.
4. Check for remaining biases and summarize final choice.

With practice, this process will help you make decisions based on reason over bias!

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Describe Decision

Briefly summarize the decision, situation, or issue here:

Identify Assumptions

What assumptions are you making about this issue? What presuppositions or biases might you hold?

• My assumptions are:
• Potential biases:

Consider Alternatives

What are 3-5 other perspectives on this situation or decision?

• Alternative perspectives:

Seek Outside Inputs

What insights could others close to the issue provide? Seek 2-3 outside opinions.

• Outside opinions:

Evaluate Evenhandedly

Considering all perspectives evenly, analyze the decision based on facts.

• Balanced analysis:

Check Biases

What remaining biases might be influencing your thought process?

• Remaining biases:

Final Decision

Summarize your final decision after evaluating all sides:

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Example

Describe Decision

Briefly summarize the decision, situation, or issue here:

Whether to end my friendship with my colleague after learning he holds biased views.

Identify Assumptions

What assumptions are you making about this issue? What presuppositions or biases might you hold?

• My assumptions are: If he holds these views, he is likely a hurtful person. I can’t be friends with someone biased.
• Potential biases: Ingroup bias, confirmation bias

Consider Alternatives

What are 3-5 other perspectives on this situation or decision?

• Alternative perspectives:

1. His views don’t define him entirely – he has good qualities too.
2. I may have some of the same unconscious biases as him.
3. Our friendship could be an opportunity to gently confront his biases.
4. Immediate “cancelling” may not change his mind long-term.

Seek Outside Inputs

What insights could others close to the issue provide? Seek 2-3 outside opinions.

• Outside opinions:

1. My friend suggested directly discussing my concerns with him first.
2. My brother said cutting people off often just reinforces their views.
3. My mentor emphasized dialogue and patience for change.

Evaluate Evenhandedly

Considering all perspectives evenly, analyze the decision based on facts.

• Balanced analysis: He may be open to growth if approached compassionately. Our shared humanity matters. Though deeply concerning, his biases likely stem from misinformation, fear and more.

Check Biases

What remaining biases might be influencing your thought process?

• Remaining biases: Black-and-white thinking, confirmation bias

Final Decision

Summarize your final decision after evaluating all sides:

I cannot condone his harmful views. But will strive for open dialogue, not rushing to judgement – we both have room for growth. Connection may be part of the solution.